Pembrolizumab-associated immune-related hepatitis: a retrospective case report analysis
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By
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Ke-qian Chen
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Yang Chen
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Jing-Fu Peng
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Yi Huang
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Xiang Liu
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June 17, 2026
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Objective:
Analyzing the clinical characteristics, potential mechanisms, and treatment strategies of pembrolizumab-induced immune-related hepatitis.
Approach:
Key Findings:
- Among the 42 patients, 27 were male and 14 were female, with an average age of 64.2 years.
- Clinical manifestations included liver toxicity, neurological symptoms, skin reactions, systemic symptoms, and digestive symptoms.
- The time from initiation of pembrolizumab to hepatitis onset varied from 2 to 630 days.
- Corticosteroids were the primary treatment for immune-related hepatitis.
- Pathogenesis may relate to dysregulation of liver immune tolerance as noted in the source.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
- Causal conclusions cannot be drawn due to lack of denominator data and potential reporting bias as stated in the source.
- The study is limited to case reports, which may not represent the broader patient population.
Conclusion:
Further research is suggested in the source to better understand pembrolizumab-induced immune-related hepatitis.