Scientific article
Case report
OA Policy
English

Concomitant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Induced Central and Primary Adrenal Insufficiency : A Diagnostic Challenge

Published inJCEM case reports, vol. 3, no. 10, luaf194
Publication date2025-10
First online date2025-08-22
Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have several endocrine toxicities. Dual sequential pituitary and adrenal toxicities are rare and difficult to diagnose. This case report describes a 63-year-old man with metastatic clear cell renal carcinoma treated with combined nivolumab and ipilimumab. After 3 cycles, he presented with severe headaches. The imaging studies revealed pituitary enlargement consistent with hypophysitis. Hormonal assessment confirmed panhypopituitarism, leading to high-dose hydrocortisone replacement. Four months later, a routine computed tomography scan showed significant bilateral adrenal enlargement. Later symptoms of fatigue and low blood pressure, combined with high potassium, suppressed aldosterone, and high renin, confirmed the diagnosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated adrenalitis, while ACTH remained low due to pituitary function impairment. Fludrocortisone was added, resulting in clinical improvement, and a control scan showed reduced adrenal size compared to previous imaging. This case emphasizes the importance of radiological and laboratory assessments in diagnosing concomitant central and peripheral adrenal insufficiency during ICI therapy.

Keywords
  • Adrenalitis
  • Hypophysitis
  • Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Citation (ISO format)
NASCE, Alberto et al. Concomitant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Induced Central and Primary Adrenal Insufficiency : A Diagnostic Challenge. In: JCEM case reports, 2025, vol. 3, n° 10, p. luaf194. doi: 10.1210/jcemcr/luaf194
Main files (1)
Article (Published version)
Identifiers
Journal ISSN2755-1520
11views
695downloads

Technical informations

Creation07/11/2025 12:47:12
First validation16/12/2025 09:06:23
Update16/12/2025 09:06:23
Status update16/12/2025 09:06:23
Last indexation16/12/2025 09:06:24
All rights reserved by Archive ouverte UNIGE and the University of GenevaunigeBlack