Burden of grade 3 or 4 liver injury associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors

There is concern about the burden of liver injury in patients with cancer exposed to immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs).

In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated the likelihood of grade 3/4 liver injury, of grade 3/4 cholestatic liver injury, and of liver failure, as per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5, following treatment with ICIs. We compared these occurrences with a group of cancer patients who were propensity-matched and treated with conventional chemotherapy. For all ICI patients experiencing grade 3/4 liver injury, we conducted a causality assessment using the RUCAM method and examined patient outcomes.

Among 952 patients (median [IQR] age 66 [57-73] years, 64% males) who were treated with ICI between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, a total of 86 (9%) progressed to grade 3/4 liver injury, and liver failure was not observed. Anti-PD-(L)1/anti-CTLA-4 antibodies combinations (adjusted hazard ratio 3.36 [95% CI: 1.67-6.79]; p <0.001), and chronic hepatitis B (adjusted hazard ratio 5.48 [95% CI: 1.62-18.5]; p = 0.006], were independent risk factors. Liver injury was attributed to ICI treatment in 19 (2.0%) patients. Patients with ICI toxicity typically presented with granulomatous hepatitis or cholangiocyte inflammation. ICI withdrawal was associated with cancer progression and mortality. Re-introduction of ICI was not associated with recurrent grade 3/4 liver injury. Compared with matched patients treated with conventional, non-ICI-based chemotherapy, anti-PD-(L)1/anti-CTLA-4 combinations (p <0.001) and anti-PD-(L)1 monotherapies (p = 0.053) increased the risk of grade 3/4 liver injury and of grade 3/4 cholestatic liver injury, respectively.

An increased risk of grade 3/4 liver injury under anti-PD-(L)1/anti-CTLA-4 antibodies was observed, whereas no substantial increase in the likelihood of liver failure occurred even after treatment reintroduction.

There is concern about liver injury in patients with cancer exposed to immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs). We investigated the burden of grade 3/4 liver injury after treatment with ICIs in a multicentric cohort of patients with cancer. Overall, a 9% incidence of grade 3/4 liver injury was detected after ICIs, and direct ICI hepatotoxicity was demonstrated in 2% of patients. Anti-PD-(L)1/Anti-CTLA-4 antibody combinations, and chronic HBV infection were independent risk factors. ICI withdrawal for grade 3/4 liver injury was associated with cancer progression. Re-introduction of ICI treatment was not associated with recurrent grade 3/4 liver injury.