Objective:

To summarize the clinical characteristics, management, and prognosis of pembrolizumab-associated hypophysitis.

Approach:

Key Findings:

• 22 patients included, median age 66 years (range 39–85), equal gender distribution.
• Median time to onset of symptoms was 15 weeks (range 2–36 weeks), with fatigue being the predominant symptom (86.4%).
• Hormone replacement therapy was administered in 81.8% of cases, with clinical improvement in 90.9% of patients.
• Persistent endocrine dysfunction was noted in 95.5% of patients, with recovery of the hypothalamic–pituitary axis documented in only one case.
• 86.4% of cases were classified as probable according to the WHO-UMC system.

Interpretation:

Pembrolizumab-induced hypophysitis typically presents subacutely with nonspecific symptoms and often exhibits normal imaging findings.

Limitations:

• The study is based on case reports and small case series, which may limit the generalizability of findings.
• Potential publication bias as only published cases were included.

Conclusion:

Early recognition and long-term endocrine follow-up are essential in affected patients.

Attribution Notice

This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.