Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
09:12
A Mouse Model of Chronic Liver Fibrosis for the Study of Biliary Atresia
Published on: February 3, 2023
Subacute liver failure induced by adalimumab.
1Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Disease, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany. Stefan.hagel@med.uni-jena.de
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|December 24, 2010
Summary
Adalimumab, a TNF-antagonist, rarely causes liver issues. This report details the first case of subacute liver failure in a patient treated with adalimumab for psoriatic arthritis.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-antagonists are widely used for inflammatory conditions.
- Hepatotoxicity is a known, though rare, adverse effect associated with TNF-antagonist therapy.
- Infliximab and etanercept are more frequently implicated in liver injury than adalimumab.
Observation:
- Adalimumab therapy is generally associated with mild, asymptomatic elevations in liver enzymes (ALT and AST).
- These enzyme elevations typically resolve with treatment modification or continuation.
- This case report describes a patient with psoriatic arthritis who developed subacute liver failure.
Findings:
- The patient had no prior history of liver disease or other risk factors.
- Subacute liver failure developed during adalimumab treatment.
- This represents the first reported instance of severe liver injury linked to adalimumab.
Implications:
- Adalimumab, despite its generally favorable liver safety profile, can rarely cause severe hepatotoxicity.
- Physicians should remain vigilant for potential liver injury in patients receiving adalimumab, even in the absence of risk factors.
- Further investigation into the mechanisms of adalimumab-induced liver injury may be warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Chronic pancreatitis is a long-standing, relapsing inflammation of the pancreas, characterized by irreversible damage to the gland. It results in progressive destruction of the pancreatic parenchyma, fibrosis, and eventual loss of both exocrine and endocrine function. The disease may evolve gradually after multiple episodes of acute pancreatitis or develop independently.EtiologyChronic pancreatitis can arise from a variety of causes:Alcohol use is the leading cause, accounting for 70–80% of...
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
The pancreas, an elongated and flat gland situated behind the stomach, serves a vital function in digesting food and managing blood sugar levels.
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:25Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is the sudden inflammation of the pancreas caused by the early activation of digestive enzymes, leading to the autodigestion of pancreatic tissue. This results in local inflammation and, in severe cases, systemic complications.EtiologyUnderstanding the underlying causes is crucial, as identifying the etiology guides treatment and anticipates complications. Acute pancreatitis can be triggered by various factors, typically grouped into the following clinical categories.Biliary...
01:27Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. It can be either acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:
01:21Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis centers on injury to pancreatic acinar cells, which initiates a cascade of harmful intracellular events.This injury leads to premature activation of trypsinogen to trypsin in the pancreas. Trypsin then activates other digestive enzymes, such as chymotrypsin, elastase, and phospholipase A2, which begin breaking down pancreatic tissue. The resulting autodigestion causes local inflammation, tissue swelling, hemorrhage, and fat necrosis.Injured acinar cells...
01:21Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive and irreversible inflammation of the pancreas, most often caused by long-term alcohol abuse, but it can also be related to ductal obstruction, smoking, or genetic factors.Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is repeatedly exposed to harmful agents like alcohol, smoking, ductal obstruction, or genetic predisposition. These factors lead to the release of toxic metabolites and inflammatory cytokines, sustaining chronic inflammation in the pancreatic...