Lesions in endocrine glands as a complication of immunotherapy in the practice of oncologist

Abstract

This review describes the lesions of the endocrine system that occur as a result of immunotherapy of cancer. This phenomenon is associated with the inhibition by monoclonal antibodies of checkpoints, which do not allow the immune system to affect tumor cells: CTLA-4, PD-1 and PD-L1. Immunotherapy by this group of drugs allows to increase the life expectancy of patients with cancer, but it also leads to the development of autoimmune endocrinopathies (thyroiditis, adrenalitis, diabetes mellitus, hypophysitis), which often manifest by life-threatening conditions. In view of the above, the necessity to carry out regular monitoring of the function of target organs in patients receiving immunotherapy for malignant tumors is discussed.
 On the other hand, the phenomenon of developing the autoimmune endocrinopathies during therapy with immunological checkpoints inhibitors is of fundamental interest to endocrinologists. Iatrogenic lesions of the endocrine system are unique models of initiation of immune autoagression. Thus, the development of adrenalitis in patients receiving treatment with a PD-1 inhibitor suggests that the PD-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency in patients not receiving treatment with this drug. Thus, clarification of the role of PD-1 in the development of adrenalitis is required. The results of such investigations will allow to identify the risk groups for the development of autoimmune adrenal insufficiency and, accordingly, timely diagnosing it and beginning treatment.