J Yeungnam Med Sci.  2022 Jan;39(1):62-66. 10.12701/yujm.2021.00934.

Adrenal insufficiency development during chemotherapy plus anti-programmed death receptor-1 monoclonal antibody (tislelizumab) therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer: two case reports

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Oncology/Hematology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Kyungpook National University Chilgok Hospital, Daegu, Korea

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-associated adrenal insufficiency is rare but may become a serious adverse event in patients treated with ICIs. The present case report documents two cases of adrenal insufficiency developed during chemotherapy plus tislelizumab (百泽安, Baize’an; BeiGene Ltd.) therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Adrenal insufficiency developed after 6 and 13 cycles of treatment and was well controlled with hydrocortisone. The patients also developed hypothyroidism, which was managed with levothyroxine. Two patients showed a partial response, and one patient out of two achieved a near-complete response, sustaining over 11 months. Increased awareness of ICI-related adrenal insufficiency is crucial for early detection and prompt management of patients treated with ICIs.

Keyword

Advanced gastric cancer; Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immune-related adverse events; Tislelizumab

Reference

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