When Hormones are Being Difficult: A Rare Case and the Literature Review of Pembrolizumab-Induced Polyendocrinopathy

Authors

Muhammad Tayyeb, Department of Medicine, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ USAFollow
Maham Tariq, Department of Medicine, Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Ahsan M Khan, Emergency Critical Care Center, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI USA
Farhan Khalid, Department of Medicine, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ USA
Trishala Meghal, Department of Hematology-Oncology, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch NJ USA
Doantrang Du MD, FACP, Department of Medicine, Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, NJFollow

Abstract

Immune Checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and ipilimumab are monoclonal antibodies against cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) or program death (PD)1 and its ligand PDL1. Agents targeting PD1, such as pembrolizumab, have shown widespread efficacy in the past and are also associated with a wide range of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including endocrine toxicities. A 31-year-old female with a medical history significant for Stage IIb Breast cancer on chemo and immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) presented with nausea, vomiting, and generalized abdominal pain. Laboratory studies showed a blood glucose level of 356 mg/dl, elevated Anion gap 18 meq/L, beta-hydroxybutyrate 46mg/d, and low C-peptide levels

Recommended Citation

Tayyeb, Muhammad; Tariq, Maham; Khan, Ahsan M; Khalid, Farhan; Meghal, Trishala; and Du, Doantrang MD, FACP (2023) "When Hormones are Being Difficult: A Rare Case and the Literature Review of Pembrolizumab-Induced Polyendocrinopathy," Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives: Vol. 13: Iss. 6, Article 21.
DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1270
Available at: https://scholarlycommons.gbmc.org/jchimp/vol13/iss6/21