RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Endocrine complications of immunotherapies: a review
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP e212
OP e222
DO 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0827
VO 21
IS 2
A1 Rosie Hattersley
A1 Melanie Nana
A1 Andrew J Lansdown
YR 2021
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/21/2/e212.abstract
AB Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer treatment has increased vastly over the past decade, as both single and combination agent therapies. While having a positive impact on survival rates, adverse effects have been noted, with endocrine effects in around 10% of patients. Thyroid disease and hypophysitis are the most commonly encountered, with diabetes mellitus and primary adrenal insufficiency also reported, as well as more rare endocrinopathies. Patient and clinician education to raise awareness of these effects, as well as regular monitoring to enable early recognition, diagnosis and prompt treatment of the immune side effects, are key. In this review, we discuss the aetiology, presentation and management of the endocrine complications of immunotherapies that are relevant to the general physician, as well as highlighting important areas where further research is still needed.