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Published on: April 2, 2017
Self-limited acute hepatotoxicity caused by pegvisomant
A Soto Moreno1, R Guerrero Vázquez, E Venegas Moreno
1Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, Seville, Spain. alfonsom.soto.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
A patient with acromegaly experienced severe hepatitis while on combination therapy. The hepatitis resolved without stopping treatment, highlighting the importance of close monitoring for patients on somatostatin analogs and pegvisomant.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Acromegaly is a condition caused by excess growth hormone, often treated with somatostatin analogs and pegvisomant.
- Hepatotoxicity is a potential adverse effect of various medications, requiring careful management.
Observation:
- A case of acute, severe hepatitis developed in a patient undergoing combination therapy for acromegaly.
- The patient presented with significant hypertransaminasemia, indicating liver injury.
Findings:
- Hepatitis resolved completely within 18 weeks of diagnosis, despite continuation of the combination therapy.
- Liver enzyme levels gradually decreased from their peak, allowing for sustained treatment.
- Literature review suggests pegvisomant therapy can be associated with toxic hepatitis, with analysis of etiology and predisposing factors.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates that severe hepatitis in patients on acromegaly combination therapy may be managed without treatment cessation.
- Close clinical and biochemical follow-up is crucial for identifying and managing drug-induced liver injury.
- Understanding the risk factors and natural history of pegvisomant-associated hepatitis can guide clinical practice.
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