Publication

Thyroid abnormalities following the use of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death receptor protein-1 inhibitors in the treatment of melanoma

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 27, 2017

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Morganstein D, Lai Z, Spain L, Diem S, Levine D, Mace C, Gore M, Larkin J. Thyroid abnormalities following the use of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 and programmed death receptor protein-1 inhibitors in the treatment of melanoma. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2017; 86:614-620.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 2017; 86
Publication Date
Jan 27, 2017
Issn Electronic
1365-2265
Pages
614-620
Brief description/objective

CONTEXT
Checkpoint inhibitors are emerging as important cancer therapies but are associated with a high rate of immune side effects, including endocrinopathy.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the burden of thyroid dysfunction in patients with melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and describe the clinical course.

DESIGN AND PATIENTS
Consecutive patients with melanoma treated with either ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab or the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab were identified. Baseline thyroid function tests were used to exclude those with pre-existing thyroid abnormalities, and thyroid function tests during treatment used to identify those with thyroid dysfunction.

RESULTS
Rates of overt thyroid dysfunction were in keeping with the published phase 3 trials. Hypothyroidism occurred in 13·0% treated with a programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor and 22·2% with a combination of PD-1 inhibitor and ipilimumab. Transient subclinical hyperthyroidism was observed in 13·0% treated with a PD-1 inhibitor, 15·9% following a PD-1 inhibitor, and 22·2% following combination treatment with investigations suggesting a thyroiditic mechanism rather than Graves' disease, and a high frequency of subsequent hypothyroidism. Any thyroid abnormality occurred in 23·0% following ipilimumab, 39·1% following a PD-1 inhibitor and 50% following combination treatment. Abnormal thyroid function was more common in female patients.

CONCLUSION
Thyroid dysfunction occurs commonly in patients with melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, with rates, including subclinical dysfunction, occurring in up to 50%.