Semin Liver Dis 2023; 43(04): 402-417
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776761
Review Article

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Liver Injury

Cathrin L.C. Gudd*
1   Section of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
,
Roosey Sheth*
2   Institute of Liver Studies, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
,
Mark R. Thursz
1   Section of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
3   Liver and Antiviral Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
,
Evangelos Triantafyllou
1   Section of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
,
Lucia A. Possamai
1   Section of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
3   Liver and Antiviral Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
Funding This study was funded by the Rosetrees Trust and UK Research and Innovation Medical Research Council.


Abstract

In recent years cancer treatment has been revolutionized by the development and wide application of checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) drugs, which are a form of immunotherapy. CPI treatment is associated with immune-related adverse events, off-target tissue destructive inflammatory complications, which may affect a range of organs, with liver inflammation (hepatitis) being one of the more commonly noted events. This is a novel form of drug-induced liver injury and a rapidly evolving field, as our understanding of both the basic immunopathology of CPI hepatitis (CPI-H) and optimal clinical management, races to catch up with the increasing application of this form of immunotherapy in clinical practice. In this review, we summarize current evidence and understanding of CPI-H, from fundamental immunology to practical patient management.

Note

Figures in this article are created with BioRender.com.


* These authors contributed equally and share the first authorship.




Publication History

Article published online:
15 December 2023

© 2023. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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