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International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2023Inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland is known as hypophysitis. There are multiple histological subtypes, the most common being lymphocytic, and the pathogenesis... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory disease of the pituitary gland is known as hypophysitis. There are multiple histological subtypes, the most common being lymphocytic, and the pathogenesis is variable and diverse. Hypophysitis can be primary and idiopathic or autoimmune related, or secondary to local lesions, systemic disease, medications, and more. Although hypophysitis was previously accepted as an exceedingly rare diagnosis, a greater understanding of the disease process and new insights into possible etiologic sources have contributed to an increased frequency of recognition. This review provides an overview of hypophysitis, its causes, and detection strategies and management.
Topics: Humans; Hypophysitis; Pituitary Gland; Lymphocytes
PubMed: 36982990
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065917 -
Current Opinion in Oncology Jul 2016Three mAbs targeting immune checkpoint proteins are available for the treatment of patients with melanoma, lung, and kidney cancer, and their use will likely expand in... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Three mAbs targeting immune checkpoint proteins are available for the treatment of patients with melanoma, lung, and kidney cancer, and their use will likely expand in the future to additional tumor types. We here update the literature on the incidence and pathophysiology of endocrine toxicities induced by these agents, and discuss management guidance.
RECENT FINDINGS
Immune checkpoint inhibition may trigger autoimmune syndromes involving different organs, including several endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, and endocrine pancreas). Hypophysitis is more frequently associated with ipilimumab, whereas the incidence of thyroid dysfunction is higher with nivolumab/pembrolizumab. Primary adrenal insufficiency can rarely occur with either treatment. Autoimmune diabetes is very rare. As hypophysitis and adrenalitis may be life-threatening, endocrinological evaluation is essential particularly in patients developing fatigue and other symptoms consistent with adrenal insufficiency. Corticosteroids should be promptly used when hypophysitis-induced adrenal insufficiency or adrenalitis are diagnosed, but not in thyroiditis or diabetes. No impact of corticosteroids on the efficacy/activity of immune checkpoint-inhibiting drugs is reported. Hormonal deficiencies are often permanent.
SUMMARY
In absence of predicting factors, accurate information to patients provided by the oncology care team is essential for early diagnosis and to limit the consequences of checkpoint inhibition-related endocrine toxicity.
Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antineoplastic Agents; Endocrine System Diseases; Humans; Neoplasms
PubMed: 27136136
DOI: 10.1097/CCO.0000000000000293 -
Endocrine-related Cancer Dec 2017Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently become a cornerstone for the treatment of different advanced cancers. These drugs, represented mainly by monoclonal antibodies... (Review)
Review
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently become a cornerstone for the treatment of different advanced cancers. These drugs, represented mainly by monoclonal antibodies anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4), anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and anti-PD-1 ligand molecules (PD-L1 and L2), have the ability to reactivate the immune system against tumor cells, but can also trigger a myriad of autoimmune side effects, termed immune-related adverse events (irAEs). In particular, there are a number of endocrine-related irAEs. Current data from clinical trials show increased incidence of hypophysitis with CTLA4 inhibition and thyroid dysfunction with PD-(L)1 blockade. In addition, a few cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus and primary adrenal insufficiency have been reported. We discuss the incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management of immune-related endocrinopathies in this highly complex context of oncological patients in need of immunotherapies.
Topics: Endocrine System Diseases; Humans; Immunotherapy
PubMed: 29025857
DOI: 10.1530/ERC-17-0358 -
La Radiologia Medica Mar 2020Hypophysitis (HP) is a rare acute or chronic inflammatory condition of the pituitary gland. The greatest challenge in the management of HP is establishing a diagnosis... (Review)
Review
Hypophysitis (HP) is a rare acute or chronic inflammatory condition of the pituitary gland. The greatest challenge in the management of HP is establishing a diagnosis through clinical criteria and non-invasive methods and predicting the patients' clinical outcome. The aim of this review is to describe the neuroradiological findings of this rare disease, providing some information regarding the possible differential diagnosis in order to avoid unnecessary surgery. Gadolinium-enhanced pituitary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the neuroradiological investigation of choice. The features suggestive for HP include an enlarged triangular- or dumbbell-shaped gland with a thickened and not obviously deviated stalk, further supported by the absence of posterior pituitary bright spot on T1weighted images, particularly in patients presenting with diabetes insipidus. Contrast enhancement pattern is quite variable; dural enhancement has been reported in some cases after intravenous contrast administration. The characterization of the unusual sellar mass is not straightforward and generally results in a wide differential. HP should be primarily differentiated from pituitary adenomas (including pituitary apoplexy), from pituitary metastases, and from other sellar and parasellar tumors, e.g., craniopharyngiomas, germinomas, gliomas, lymphomas, meningiomas, pituicytomas, chordomas, teratomas, dermoids and epidermoids, Rathke's cleft cysts, and abscesses. In patients suspected for secondary forms related to systemic pathology, additional imaging is helpful in identifying other involved sites. Neuroradiologists need to know MRI appearance of this rare disease, as well as its typical symptoms and serological markers. A strict collaboration with endocrinologists and neurosurgeons is mandatory in order to reach a definitive diagnosis, allowing to promptly initiating an appropriate treatment.
Topics: Adenoma; Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Contrast Media; Diagnosis, Differential; Gadolinium; Humans; Hypophysitis; Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroradiography; Pituitary Gland; Pituitary Neoplasms; Xanthomatosis
PubMed: 31863360
DOI: 10.1007/s11547-019-01120-x -
Presse Medicale (Paris, France : 1983) Dec 2021Hypophysitis is defined as inflammation of the pituitary gland. It is a heterogeneous condition as it can originate from different parts of the pituitary gland, can be...
Hypophysitis is defined as inflammation of the pituitary gland. It is a heterogeneous condition as it can originate from different parts of the pituitary gland, can be caused by different pathophysiological processes, and can be isolated or the manifestation of a underlying systemic disease. Hypophysitis usually presents with endocrine deficiencies, including diabetes insipidus, with varying patterns. A subset of patients presents with mass effects. The last decades major progress has been made in the understanding of this disease. New forms are now recognized, new diagnostics are being developed, and specific treatments are proposed. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on hypophysitis using an aetiology-based approach and provides the clinician with a stepwise approach to the patient with (suspected) hypophysitis.
Topics: Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Diabetes Insipidus; Endocrine System Diseases; Erdheim-Chester Disease; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell; Humans; Hypophysitis; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease; Pituitary Gland; Symptom Assessment; Xanthomatosis
PubMed: 34687912
DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104076 -
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism... 2016Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) infection causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a relatively mild form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Hypophyseal haemorrhage...
UNLABELLED
Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) infection causes nephropathia epidemica (NE), a relatively mild form of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Hypophyseal haemorrhage and hypopituitarism have been described in case reports on patients with acute NE. Chronic hypopituitarism diagnosed months or years after the acute illness has also been reported, without any signs of a haemorrhagic aetiology. The mechanisms leading to the late-onset hormonal defects remain unknown. Here, we present a case of NE-associated autoimmune polyendocrinopathy and hypopituitarism presumably due to autoimmune hypophysitis. Thyroid peroxidase antibody seroconversion occurred between 6 and 12 months, and ovarian as well as glutamate decarboxylase antibodies were found 18 months after acute NE. Brain MRI revealed an atrophic adenohypophysis with a heterogeneous, low signal intensity compatible with a sequela of hypophysitis. The patient developed central (or mixed central and peripheral) hypothyroidism, hypogonadism and diabetes insipidus, all requiring hormonal replacement therapy. This case report suggests that late-onset hormonal defects after PUUV infection may develop by an autoimmune mechanism. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed by prospective studies with sufficient numbers of patients.
LEARNING POINTS
Pituitary haemorrhage resulting in hypopituitarism has been reported during acute HFRS caused by PUUV and other hantaviruses.Central and peripheral hormone deficiencies developing months or years after HFRS have also been found, with an incidence higher than that in the general population. The pathogenesis of these late-onset hormonal defects remains unknown.This case report suggests that the late-onset hypopituitarism and peripheral endocrine defects after HFRS could evolve via autoimmune mechanisms.The sensitivity of current anti-pituitary antibody (APA) tests is low. A characteristic clinical course, together with typical brain MRI and endocrine findings may be sufficient for a non-invasive diagnosis of autoimmune hypophysitis, despite negative APAs.
PubMed: 27857837
DOI: 10.1530/EDM-16-0084 -
Journal of Nippon Medical School =... 2017The number of cases of lymphocytic hypophysitis is small, although the condition is not rare. For optimal therapy, the correct diagnosis from imaging, immunological... (Review)
Review
The number of cases of lymphocytic hypophysitis is small, although the condition is not rare. For optimal therapy, the correct diagnosis from imaging, immunological studies, and pathological findings from a pituitary biopsy is important. Recently, anti-Rabphilin antibody has been proposed to be a biomarker for lymphocytic infundibulo-neurohypophysitis. Immunological disorders such as anti-Pit-1 antibody syndrome are similar to the pathogenesis of lymphocytic hypophysitis. Moreover, recent immune checkpoint blockade such ipilimumab has been shown to induce anti-CTLA-4-related hypophysitis. In the future, elucidating the immunological mechanism and establishing a suitable therapy will be necessary for accurate long-term prognosis.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological; Autoantibodies; Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Biomarkers; CTLA-4 Antigen; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Ipilimumab; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Nerve Tissue Proteins; Pituitary Gland; Transcription Factor Pit-1
PubMed: 29142180
DOI: 10.1272/jnms.84.201 -
Endocrine Practice : Official Journal... Nov 2017
Topics: Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged
PubMed: 28613943
DOI: 10.4158/EP171969.VV -
Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology : the... Dec 2014Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multifocal inflammatory disorder that causes tumefactive lesions with a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate rich in IgG4... (Review)
Review
Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a multifocal inflammatory disorder that causes tumefactive lesions with a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate rich in IgG4 plasma cells and storiform-pattern fibrosis. The clinical symptoms are relatively mild, and the condition is usually recognized by organ swelling and damage. When referring to the ophthalmic manifestations of IgG4-RD, the term IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) is used. IgG4-ROD is characterized by bilateral lacrimal gland enlargement accompanied by 3 distinctive features: infraorbital nerve enlargement, extraocular myositis, and compressive optic neuropathy. IgG4 implies an underlying systemic disease process requiring evaluation to detect other systemic involvement. This includes hypophysitis and hypertrophic pachymeningitis, entities of neuro-ophthalmic interest. IgG4-ROD usually responds favorably to systemic corticosteroids but may be complicated by relapse during steroid taper. Rituximab has been shown to be effective for controlling steroid-refractory IgG4-RD. In contrast to IgG4-RD, an increasing number of cases of extranodal marginal B-cell lymphoma (MALT type) associated with IgG4-ROD have been described. IgG4 may be a risk factor for later emergence of low-grade B-cell lymphoma.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Diagnosis, Differential; Eye Diseases; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Lymphoma; Nervous System Diseases; Optic Nerve; Trigeminal Nerve
PubMed: 25405662
DOI: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000000193 -
Expert Review of Endocrinology &... May 2019Hypophysitis is a rare disorder, defined as inflammation of the pituitary gland that may result in pituitary enlargement and varying anterior and posterior pituitary... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hypophysitis is a rare disorder, defined as inflammation of the pituitary gland that may result in pituitary enlargement and varying anterior and posterior pituitary hormonal deficits. It involves different histopathological subtypes and variable etiologies, with considerable overlap between classification systems. Histopathology is the gold standard diagnostic approach.
AREAS COVERED
In this article, we will review the major histopathological subtypes of hypophysitis with a special focus on immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related hypophysitis and immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced hypophysitis, given their recent appearance and increasing incidence. We will summarize the similarities and differences between the different subtypes as it relates to epidemiology, pathogenesis, presentation, diagnosis, and management.
EXPERT OPINION
Hypophysitis is a heterogeneous and wide term used to describe different, possibly distinct diseases often with poorly understood pathogenesis. It involves a wide range of subtypes with certain differences in incidence rates, pathogenesis, and management. Management usually focuses on relieving the mass effect symptoms and replacing the deficient pituitary hormones. Spontaneous recovery is possible but recurrence is not uncommon.
Topics: Autoimmune Hypophysitis; Humans; Hypophysitis; Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease
PubMed: 30939947
DOI: 10.1080/17446651.2019.1598260