Pembrolizumab-induced dual endocrine disruption: A case report.

María Carmen Dameto Pons, Elena González Arnáiz, María Antequera González, Xavier F Pérez Candel, Diana Ariadel Cobo, Javier Castañón Alonso, María D Ballesteros Pomar

Journal: Endocrinologia, diabetes y nutricion 2025;72(10):501630

PMID: 41419259

Abstract

Immunotherapy is an increasingly used treatment for different types of cancer. The most widely used are cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) inhibitors and PD-1 receptor inhibitors. All of them can produce endocrine autoimmune side effects in multiple organs. The most frequent are thyroid disorders and hypophysitis although, less frequently, they can also cause autoimmune adrenalitis and autoimmune diabetes. Thyroid involvement is usually transient but can become chronic in the form of hypothyroidism in more than 50% of cases. Diabetes is due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, in many cases abrupt and irreversible. The 2 entities occur more frequently with PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors. This is the case of a patient with cutaneous melanoma on pembrolizumab who simultaneously developed thyroiditis and fulminant autoimmune diabetes.

Copyright © 2025 SEEN and SED. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Address: Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Gerencia de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), Altos de Nava s/n, 24071 León, Spain. Electronic address: [email protected].; Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Complejo Asistencial Universitario de León, Gerencia de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL), Altos de Nava s/n, 24071 León, Spain.
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