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Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2021Hypothalamitis is a rare inflammatory disorder involving the hypothalamus and classified as primary, or isolated, and secondary hypothalamitis. Secondary hypothalamitis... (Review)
Review
Hypothalamitis is a rare inflammatory disorder involving the hypothalamus and classified as primary, or isolated, and secondary hypothalamitis. Secondary hypothalamitis although very rare is more common than the primary one and may occur in patients affected by autoimmune diseases such as autoimmune hypophysitis, systemic autoimmune diseases, infective diseases in patients affected by immune-deficit, paraneoplastic encephalitis, or in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In accordance with the rarity of this disease, diagnosis and management of hypothalamitis prove to be challenging. The diagnosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion. The main symptoms may be: various degrees of hypopituitarism, neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders, and disturbances of autonomic and metabolic regulation. Magnetic resonance images play a crucial role in the diagnosis of hypothalamitis and in the exclusion of a neoplastic lesion. Therapeutic management should be oriented according to the disease etiology. In most cases, after ruling out infective hypothalamitis, the mainstay of therapy consists of immunosuppressive treatment. Great attention should be paid to hormonal replacement therapy, if partial or total hypopituitarism is present, in particular in patients affected by diabetes insipidus, central hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism. According to the complexity of this disease, a multidisciplinary approach is strongly advocated to reach an early diagnosis and an integrated therapy.
Topics: Atrophy; Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Humans; Hypopituitarism; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary Gland
PubMed: 34238454
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-12-820683-6.00011-7 -
Best Practice & Research. Clinical... May 2022Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been recently proposed as a strategy for treating anti-malignant neoplasms. However, this treatment leads to immune-related... (Review)
Review
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been recently proposed as a strategy for treating anti-malignant neoplasms. However, this treatment leads to immune-related adverse events (irAEs) such as autoimmune endocrinopathy. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of ICI-related hypophysitis are essential as it can manifest as a life-threatening condition due to an adrenal crisis. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnostic processes, clinical characteristics, and its current management. In particular, we discuss the different aspects of anti-CTLA-4 antibody-related and anti-PD-1/anti-PD-L1 antibody-related hypophysitis. We also propose key points for early detection and diagnosis by identifying the target group that should be monitored more carefully. Specific methods of hormone replacement therapy have also been described. We hope that this review will lead to a better understanding and management of this rare but serious condition during cancer treatment and further elucidate the pathophysiology of pituitary autoimmunity.
Topics: Endocrine System Diseases; Humans; Hypophysitis; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Neoplasms
PubMed: 35562229
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2022.101668 -
Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic... Dec 2018The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus can be affected by autoimmune-mediated structural and functional disruption. These autoimmune-mediated diseases occur more... (Review)
Review
The pituitary gland and the hypothalamus can be affected by autoimmune-mediated structural and functional disruption. These autoimmune-mediated diseases occur more commonly in females and are often found during pregnancy or in the post-partum period. Autoimmune diseases can either affect parts of the pituitary or hypothalamus, or can involve both sellar and suprasellar structures. Most of these cases comprise primary hypophysitis (PRH). Over the years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of reported PRH cases and related disorders, including hypophysitis induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors. With this increasing data, more light is being shed on the spectrum of clinical presentations, biochemical and imaging abnormalities of these disorders. Regardless, these disorders are still relatively rare. The clinical presentation can vary vastly, based on the type of pituitary cell or the area of the suprasellar region affected. The severity can range from clinically silent disease to progressive and rapid deterioration and death, likely due to unrecognized central adrenal insufficiency. Although biopsy remains a gold standard for diagnosing these disorders, the current standard of practice is biochemical assessment for hormonal deficiencies and imaging studies. In several instances, these disorders spontaneously resolve, but medical or surgical intervention might be necessary to treat symptomatic disease. Due to the subtlety and a vast spectrum of clinical manifestations which could often be asymptomatic, and the rarity of the occurrence of these diseases in clinical practice, the diagnosis can be easily missed which could potentially lead to substantial morbidity or mortality. Therefore, it is crucial to have a strong clinical suspicion and pursue timely biochemical and imaging studies to initiate prompt treatment. In this article, we review the various autoimmune conditions that affect the sellar and suprasellar structures, their diagnostic approach and management of these disorders.
Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Humans; Hypophysitis
PubMed: 30547288
DOI: 10.1007/s11154-018-9480-1 -
Expert Review of Endocrinology &... 2023Immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy modulates the response of the immune system acting against cancer. Two pathways impacted by this kind of treatment are the CTLA4 and... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy modulates the response of the immune system acting against cancer. Two pathways impacted by this kind of treatment are the CTLA4 and the PD-1/PD-L1 pathways. ICI therapy can trigger autoimmune adverse effects, known as immune-related Adverse Events (irAEs).
AREAS COVERED
This review focuses on irAEs which affect the endocrine system. This review elucidates the pathways used by these drugs with a focus on the hypothetical pathogenesis at their basis. In fact, the pathophysiology of irAEs concerns the possibility of an interaction between cellular autoimmunity, humoral immunity, cytokines, chemokines, and genetics. The endocrine irAEs examined are thyroid dysfunctions, immune related-hypophysitis, diabetes, peripheral adrenal insufficiency, and hypoparathyroidism.
EXPERT OPINION
There is still much to investigate in endocrine irAES of checkpoint inhibitors. In the future, checkpoint inhibitors will be increasingly utilized therapies, and therefore it is crucial to find the proper diagnostic-therapeutic program for irAEs, especially as endocrine irAEs are nonreversible and require lifelong replacement therapies.
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Immunotherapy; Endocrine System; Endocrine System Diseases; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
PubMed: 37682107
DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2023.2256841 -
Pituitary Dec 2016This publication reviews the accepted knowledges and the findings still discussed on several features of autoimmune hypophysitis, including the most recently described... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This publication reviews the accepted knowledges and the findings still discussed on several features of autoimmune hypophysitis, including the most recently described forms, such as IgG4 and cancer immunotherapy- related hypophysitis.
METHODS
The most characteristic findings and the pending controversies were derived from a literature review and previous personal experiences. A single paragraph focused on some atypical examples of the disease presenting under confounding pretences.
RESULTS
Headache, visual field alterations and impaired pituitary secretion are the most frequent clinical findings of the disease. Pituitary biopsy, still considered the gold diagnostic standard, does not always receive consent from the patients. The role of magnetic resonance imaging is limited, as this disease may generate images similar to those of other diseases. The role of antipituitary and antihypothalamus antibodies is still discussed owing to methodological difficulties and also because the findings on the true pituitary antigen(s) are still debated. However, the low sensitivity and specificity of immunofluorescence, one of the more widely employed methods to detect these antibodies, may be improved, considering a predetermined cut-off titre and a particular kind of immunostaining.
CONCLUSION
Autoimmune hypophysitis is a multifaceted disease, which may certainly be diagnosed by pituitary biopsy. However, the possible different clinical, laboratory and imaging features must be considered by the physician to avoid a misdiagnosis when examining a possibly affected patient. Therapeutic choice has to be made taking into account the clinical conditions and the degree of hypothalamic-pituitary involvement, but also considering that spontaneous remissions can occur.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Autoimmune Hypophysitis; CTLA-4 Antigen; HLA Antigens; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Pituitary Gland
PubMed: 27503372
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-016-0736-z -
Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism:... Sep 2019Hypophysitis is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease, characterized by an elevated risk of complications, such as occurrence of acute central hypoadrenalism,... (Review)
Review
Hypophysitis is a rare and potentially life-threatening disease, characterized by an elevated risk of complications, such as occurrence of acute central hypoadrenalism, persistent hypopituitarism, or extension of the inflammatory process to the neighboring neurological structures. In recent years, a large number of patients have been described as being affected by hypophysitis, due to the increased administration of immuno-chemotherapies. At the present time, the heterogeneous nature of hypophysitis diagnostic criteria and of the treatment protocols makes the management of affected patients difficult. We review the current data and evidence on primary and secondary hypophysitis, in order to suggest a diagnostic and therapeutic protocol that should be focused on a multidisciplinary approach, for reaching a prompt diagnosis and an appropriate and safe treatment.
Topics: Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Hypophysitis; Immunosuppressive Agents; Pituitary Gland
PubMed: 31345630
DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2019.06.004 -
European Thyroid Journal Jul 2017Tremelimumab and ipilimumab are monoclonal antibodies directed against the extracellular domain of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and have been...
Tremelimumab and ipilimumab are monoclonal antibodies directed against the extracellular domain of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and have been used as immunotherapies against immune checkpoints that suppress T-cell activation. Anti-CTLA-4 antibody-based therapies have been shown to be effective in treating various cancers including metastatic melanoma. However, a few immune-related adverse events including hypophysitis and thyroid disorder have been reported, mostly developed within the first year of receiving treatment. We report a case of tremelimumab-induced Graves hyperthyroidism in a 55-year-old man who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma after 8 years of tremelimumab therapy. He had no personal or family history of thyroid or autoimmune diseases. His biochemical profile was in keeping with Graves disease, with raised serum free thyroid hormones, suppressed thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration, and raised thyrotropin receptor antibody level. He was treated with carbimazole as part of the block and replace therapy, without complications. Tremelimumab therapy was temporarily discontinued and recommenced when he was rendered biochemically euthyroid. There has been no further relapse of Graves hyperthyroidism since the discontinuation of block and replace therapy. The mechanistic profile of anti-CTLA-4-induced thyroid dysfunction and the long-term endocrine safety of this therapeutic approach remain unclear. It is important to monitor thyroid functions in patients receiving anti-CTLA-4 therapies, as their effects on endocrine systems could be more latent or prolonged than the data from current clinical trials suggest. Antithyroid drug therapy was safe and effective alongside anti-CTLA-4 therapy without compromising antitumour treatment efficacy.
PubMed: 28785544
DOI: 10.1159/000464285 -
Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of... Sep 2019Diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis occurring in the peripartum period is based on clinical and neuroradiological data and does not require a biopsy. Its course is... (Review)
Review
Diagnosis of lymphocytic hypophysitis occurring in the peripartum period is based on clinical and neuroradiological data and does not require a biopsy. Its course is generally spontaneously favorable in terms of mass effect but may require the administration of corticosteroids or even transsphenoidal resection. The course of pituitary deficiencies is highly variable; some cases recover over time, whereas others persist indefinitely. Sheehan syndrome is very rare in developed countries. Because agalactia and amenorrhea are often neglected, the diagnosis is generally delayed. Diabetes insipidus occurring in late pregnancy is caused by the increased placental production of vasopressinase and disappears after delivery.
Topics: Diabetes Insipidus; Female; Humans; Hypopituitarism; Pituitary Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications
PubMed: 31345525
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2019.05.005 -
European Thyroid Journal Dec 2016Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a new disease category involving many organ systems, including the endocrine system in general and the thyroid in... (Review)
Review
Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a new disease category involving many organ systems, including the endocrine system in general and the thyroid in particular. Since an initial association was made between hypothyroidism and autoimmune (IgG4-related) pancreatitis, more forms of IgG4-related thyroid disease (IgG4-RTD) have been recognized. Four subcategories of IgG4-RTD have so far been identified: Riedel thyroiditis (RT), fibrosing variant of Hashimoto thyroiditis (FVHT), IgG4-related Hashimoto thyroiditis, and Graves disease with elevated IgG4 levels. Although a male predominance is seen for IgG4-RD in general, RT and FVHT have a female preponderance. The pathogenesis of IgG4-RD is not completely understood; however, genetic factors, antigen-antibody reactions, and an allergic phenomenon have been described. Diagnosis of IgG4-RD requires a combination of clinical features, serological evidence, and histological features. Histology is the mainstay of diagnosis, with IgG4 immunostaining. Although serum IgG4 levels are usually elevated in IgG4-RD, raised serum IgG4 is neither necessary nor adequate for diagnosis. Imaging supports the diagnosis and is a useful tool in disease monitoring. Management of IgG4-RTD is both medical and surgical. Steroids are the first-line treatment and may produce a swift response. Tamoxifen and rituximab are second-line agents used in steroid-resistant patients. Surgical debulking is carried out in RT solely as a procedure to relieve obstruction. Other endocrine associations described with IgG4-RD are hypophysitis and Hashimoto encephalopathy. IgG4-RTD is an uncommon disease entity, and prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes.
PubMed: 28101487
DOI: 10.1159/000452623 -
Hormones (Athens, Greece) Oct 2017Cancer immunotherapy has introduced a novel class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). They enhance antitumour immunity by blocking negative regulators... (Review)
Review
Cancer immunotherapy has introduced a novel class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). They enhance antitumour immunity by blocking negative regulators (checkpoints) of T cell function that exist on both immune and tumour cells. ICIs targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PDL-1 have dramatically changed the outcome of patients with several advanced-stage malignancies but they may lead to a variety of inflammatory toxicities and autoimmune consequences. The main endocrine immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) include hypophysitis, primary thyroid dysfunction, adrenalitis and type 1 diabetes mellitus. In general, the management of endocrine IRAEs requires assessment of their severity, in moderate or severe cases interruption of the checkpoint inhibitor and use of corticosteroid or alternative immunosuppression and appropriate hormone replacement or treatment when necessary.
Topics: Adrenal Gland Diseases; Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; B7-H1 Antigen; CTLA-4 Antigen; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Humans; Hypophysitis; Immunotherapy; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Thyroid Diseases
PubMed: 29518754
DOI: 10.14310/horm.2002.1754