Immune checkpoint inhibitors are therapeutically administered to promote immune cell activity against and destruction of cancer cells. Because they increase immune cell activity, they can also result in immune-related adverse reactions. One such side effect is acute immune-related liver inflammation, or ‘hepatitis’. Immune-related hepatitis can result in liver failure and death.
“Identifying patients at risk of immune-related hepatitis could help mitigate or prevent adverse outcomes ranging from cancer treatment delays to fulminant liver failure and even death. “
Aiming to better predict who is at greatest risk for checkpoint inhibitor-induced hepatitis, Dr. Storm and colleagues conducted a retrospective case-control study of adults who newly received checkpoint inhibitor therapies for a variety of solid organ malignancies between 2016 and 2020 at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Dr. Storm identified 97 cases of Grade 2-4 immune-related hepatitis. After adjusting for other factors that could contribute to risk of hepatitis.
Dr. Storm found that a liver cirrhosis was associated with lower risk of immune-related hepatitis. In contrast, the presence of cancer metastases within the liver was associated with higher risk. Next, Dr. Storm and colleagues will investigate risk factors for late-onset and treatment-refractory immune-related hepatitis as progress toward more precise therapeutic strategies.
Dr. Storm presented this research at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting in 2022. A manuscript is currently under review at a peer-reviewed journal. She hopes this research will advance understanding of the interplay between the liver and native immune landscape.