Managing immune checkpoint-inhibitor-induced severe autoimmune-like hepatitis by liver-directed topical steroids.

Abstract

3073 Background: The CTLA4-antibody ipilimumab, and PD-1-antibodies pembrolizumab as well as nivolumab have revolutionized antineoplastic therapies. Induction of autoimmune-like drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is within the spectrum of adverse reactions of these new drugs and has been observed in about 1-5 % of patients, developing predominantly within the first 6 to 12 weeks after start of treatment. Immediate application of systemic steroids and a permanent discontinuation of immune checkpoint-inhibition therapy are recommended for any alanine aminotransferase increase ≥ WHO grade 3. In severe autoimmune-like DILI the permanent discontinuation of the immune checkpoint inhibitor is recommended, as drug re-exposure might be associated with a significant risk of a fulminant DILI. Methods: We report six patients with severe grade 3 autoimmune-like DILI (according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.3) treated with long-term application of budesonide, a liver-directed topical steroid. Results: Immune checkpoint inhibitors were stopped and methylprednisolone was applied initially with a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight and tapered thereafter. To reduce systemic steroids and to minimize the exposure time to systemic steroids, the topical steroid budesonide 3 mg three times per day was additionally given in combination with N-acetylcysteine and ursodeoxycholic acid. Under this multimodal approach transaminases normalized and the respective immune-checkpoint inhibitor could be re-started without re-manifestation of DILI under the continuous treatment with budesonide. Conclusions: Budesonide - a liver-directed topical steroid - might be an interesting approach to target liver related autoimmune adverse reactions induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors without compromising their anti-cancer effect. We were able to safely and effectively re-introduce and continue immune checkpoint inhibitors under the continuous application of the topical steroid without showing any further liver toxicity.