Anti-programmed death-1 inhibitor nivolumab-induced immune-related adverse events: hepatitis, renal insufficiency, myositis, vitiligo, and hypothyroidism: a case-based review.

Nivolumab (NIVO) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat renal cell cancer. It is an anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1) inhibitor, enhancing the tumor-targeted immune response of T lymphocytes, resulting in immune-mediated adverse events (AEs). We present five immunological AEs in a single patient treated with NIVO. A 68-year-old male patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and right-sided nephrectomy received NIVO after pazopanib and sunitinib treatment. Two and a half months after starting NIVO, hepatocellular enzymes and creatinine were elevated. Concomitantly, the patient noticed hypopigmentation of the hand skin and a change in voice and speech. Due to hepatitis, he has been treated with dexamethasone 16 mg daily for 22 days, after which hypothyroidism and increased creatine kinase were found without muscle pain and functional impairment. Dexamethasone was continued, and a rapid decline in all parameters except thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and vitiligo was observed. Myositis was initially considered a part of hypothyroidism and elevated renal parameters due to hypohydration. The rapid regression on glucocorticoid treatment and a longer time for creatinine normalization than expected with hydration were noticed. Nivolumab likely induced those side effects as assessed by Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale. The literature review shows that the consequences of PD-1 inhibition are not uniform. Side effects of checkpoint inhibitors should be monitored carefully in the early and later treatment schedules evaluating subclinical manifestations like myositis and worsening of kidney parameters. Early administered higher doses of glucocorticoids can stop drug toxicity and reverse-induced tissue damage.

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with conventional, targeted and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in the setting of liver injury and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Increased incidence of liver diseases emphasizes greater caution in prescribing antirheumatic drugs due to their hepatotoxicity. A transient elevation of transaminases to autoimmune hepatitis and acute liver failure has been described. For every 10 cases of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in a clinical trial, it is estimated that one case of more severe liver injury will develop once the investigated drug is widely available. Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic (tsDMARDs) are less likely to cause liver damage. However, various manifestations, from a transient elevation of transaminases to autoimmune hepatitis and acute liver failure, have been described. Research on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has provided insight into a pre-existing liver disease that may be worsen by medication. Diabetes and obesity could be an additional burden in drug-induced liver injury (DILI). In the intertwining of the inflammatory and metabolic pathways, the most important cytokines are IL-6 and TNF alpha, which are also the cornerstone of biological treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. This narrative review evaluates the complexity and prevention of DILI in RA and treatment options involving biological therapy and tsDMARDs.

The multifactorial origin of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in cyclophosphamide-treated lupus patients.

The cyclophosphamide as a predisposing factor for Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) and therapeutic option for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is still confusing. The first and only case of PRES, probably induced by cyclophosphamide, in Croatia followed by the findings of 36 SLE patients diagnosed with PRES after treatment with cyclophosphamide worldwide are described. An 18-year-old Caucasian female patient with a 1-year history of SLE was admitted to the hospital due to lupus nephritis and acute arthritis. After the second dose of cyclophosphamide was administered, according to the Euro-lupus protocol, the patient presented with a grand mal status epilepticus. The differential diagnosis of neurolupus, cerebrovascular insult, and infection were excluded. The MRI findings showed brain changes in corresponding to PRES. The treatment consisted of antihypertensives, antiepileptics, antiedema therapy, mechanical ventilation, and avoiding further cyclophosphamide use. A Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale total score of five and a probable reaction related to drug therapy (cyclophosphamide, PRES) was confirmed. In this systematic review, along with cyclophosphamide use, the main predisposing factors involved in PRES occurrence in SLE patients were active SLE and renal involvement. Due to the high number of simultaneously involved predisposing factors (max. six) and their overlapping effect, it is still not possible to clearly establish the role of every factor on PRES onset. The use of cyclophosphamide, as a contributing factor for PRES onset, should be carefully assessed, based on clinicians' experience and knowledge, in the setting of active SLE.

Novel Therapies for the Treatment of Drug-Induced Liver Injury: A Systematic Review.

Many drugs with different mechanisms of action and indications available on the market today are capable of inducing hepatotoxicity. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) has been a treatment challenge nowadays as it was in the past. We searched Medline (via PubMed), CENTRAL, Science Citation Index Expanded, clinical trials registries and databases of DILI and hepatotoxicity up to 2021 for novel therapies for the management of adult patients with DILI based on the combination of three main search terms: 1) treatment, 2) novel, and 3) drug-induced liver injury. The mechanism of action of novel therapies, the potential of their benefit in clinical settings, and adverse drug reactions related to novel therapies were extracted. Cochrane Risk of bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment approach was involved in the assessment of the certainty of the evidence for primary outcomes of included studies. One thousand three hundred seventy-two articles were identified. Twenty-eight articles were included in the final analysis. Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were detected and for six the available data were sufficient for analysis. In abstract form only we found six studies which were also anaylzed. Investigated agents included: bicyclol, calmangafodipir, cytisin amidophospate, fomepizole, livina-polyherbal preparation, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), picroliv, plasma exchange, radix Paeoniae Rubra, and S-adenosylmethionine. The primary outcomes of included trials mainly included laboratory markers improvement. Based on the moderate-certainty evidence, more patients treated with MgIG experienced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization compared to placebo. Low-certainty evidence suggests that bicyclol treatment leads to a reduction of ALT levels compared to phosphatidylcholine. For the remaining eight interventions, the certainty of the evidence for primary outcomes was assessed as very low and we are very uncertain in any estimate of effect. More effort should be involved to investigate the novel treatment of DILI. Well-designed RCTs with appropriate sample sizes, comparable groups and precise, not only surrogate outcomes are urgently welcome.