Unusual Fatal Outcome Following Administration of a Combination of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Liver Toxicity Case Report and a Literature Review
  • Nerina Denaro
    Medical Oncology, St. Croce & Carle University Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
  • Ornella Garrone
    Medical Oncology, St. Croce & Carle University Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
  • Marcella Occelli
    Medical Oncology, St. Croce & Carle University Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
  • Elena Fea
    AO Santa Croce e Carle Cuneo
  • Cristina Granetto
    Medical Oncology, St. Croce & Carle University Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
  • Marco Carlo Merlano
    edical Oncology, IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy; ARCO Foundation, Cuneo, Italy
  • Gianmauro Numico
    Medical Oncology, St. Croce & Carle University Teaching Hospital, Cuneo, Italy

Keywords

Hepatitis, hepatic failure, immunotherapy, renal carcinoma

Abstract

Hepatic dysfunction, in the absence of liver metastases, occurs in 10–15% of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients, while immune hepatitis due to anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 administration affects about 3–9% and 0.7–1.8% of treated patients, respectively. Liver toxicity following combination therapy (anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1) is seen in 29% of patients overall and grade 3–4 toxicity in 14% of patients.
Stauffer’s syndrome is a rare para-neoplastic phenomenon associated with RCC and characterized by abnormal liver function tests, hepato-splenomegaly and histological changes consistent with non-specific hepatitis. We describe a case of RCC treated with anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 therapy resulting in immediate liver toxicity and death after 2 months of progressive hepatic impairment. We hypothesize that high IL-6 levels due to Stauffer’s syndrome might have contributed to immune-related hepatic failure.

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    Published: 2021-06-17
    Issue: 2021: Vol 8 No 6 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Denaro N, Garrone O, Occelli M, Fea E, Granetto C, Merlano MC, Numico G. Unusual Fatal Outcome Following Administration of a Combination of anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Liver Toxicity Case Report and a Literature Review. EJCRIM 2021;8 doi:10.12890/2021_002639.