Work

Late-Onset Immune-Mediated Hepatotoxicity Induced by the Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Pembrolizumab in Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, has improved survival in selected patients. However, these therapies may cause immune-mediated adverse events, including hepatotoxicity, which poses a diagnostic challenge due to its low incidence and nonspecific presentation. We report a case of a patient with LC who developed persistent elevation of liver enzymes after 17 cycles of pembrolizumab, with no infectious or metabolic abnormalities, consistent with immune-mediated drug-induced liver injury. This case underscores the importance of continuous liver function monitoring throughout immunotherapy, even after long-term exposure, to enable early recognition and management of delayed immune-related hepatotoxicity.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.95961

Authors: Jacobo Echeverri-Hoyos, Eduardo Tuta-Quintero, Jaime A Echeverri Franco, Nicole Bonilla, Carolina Rojas-Londoño

Institutions: Institución Universitaria Visión de las Américas, Universidad de La Sabana, Universidad CES

Language: English

Topic: Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4415777142