Hypereosinophilia is a predictive biomarker of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced hypopituitarism in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Background This study aimed to evaluate whether hypereosinophilia is a clinical biomarker of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced hypopituitarism in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab plus ipilimumab. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study conducted at Jichi Medical University Saitama Medical Center between January 2018 and December 2020. In total, 12 patients with renal cell carcinoma who presented with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced hypopituitarism were enrolled in this study. The clinical parameters and symptoms at baseline, last visit, and onset of hypopituitarism were analyzed. Results The median period from the initial treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors to the onset of hypopituitarism was 82.5 (range: 56-196) days. Most patients developed hypopituitarism within 6 months. One patient presented with hypophysitis and 11 patients presented with isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency. The major symptoms noted at onset were fatigue (66.7%) and loss of appetite (41.7%). None of the patients had symptoms during the last visit. However, four developed hypereosinophilia. Eosinophil fraction (%) and eosinophil count (/mu L) increased during the last visit and at the onset of hypopituitarism, respectively. The serum sodium and plasma glucose levels were similar. Conclusions The eosinophil count increased before the onset of hypopituitarism. Thus, hypereosinophilia can be an early predictor of hypopituitarism.

Automated summary

This study suggests that hypereosinophilia may serve as an early predictor of hypopituitarism in patients with renal cell carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Most cases of hypopituitarism occurred within 6 months of starting immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment, with fatigue and loss of appetite being common symptoms.