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Published on: February 3, 2012
A case of autoimmune hepatitis associated with the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab
Amira Ibrahim1, Geeta Prasad2, Eric S Kilpatrick1
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK.
Insights
This case study describes a patient who developed hepatitis after taking atorvastatin and later alirocumab (a PCSK9 inhibitor). The patient was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis, potentially triggered by drug injury from alirocumab.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Pharmacology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia requires effective lipid-lowering therapies.
- Statins are common first-line treatments but can cause adverse effects.
- PCSK9 inhibitors offer an alternative for managing hypercholesterolaemia.
Abstract:
This is a case of a 61-year-old lady who presented to the lipid clinic with possible familial hypercholesterolaemia (Simon Broome Criteria). She was commenced on atorvastatin; however, 4 weeks later, she developed hepatitis, and therefore her atorvastatin was discontinued. Following that, her liver function tests normalized, and she was diagnosed with statin-induced hepatitis. Three years later, she was seen again in the lipid clinic with an uncontrolled lipid profile, and she was commenced on alirocumab, a Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor. A few days later, she developed hepatitis, and subsequently, the alirocumab was discontinued. She underwent a liver biopsy, which confirmed that she had Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) with presumed superimposed drug injury. This is the first reported case of autoimmune hepatitis associated with alirocumab.
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