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. 2020 Jun 29;9(7):2033. doi: 10.3390/jcm9072033

Table 2.

Management of hypopituitarism induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

CTCAE Grade Management Treatment of Adverse Event
Grade 1
  • Hormone supplementation as needed

  • Consider consultation with an endocrinologist

  • If adrenal insufficiency is suspected, start hydrocortisone 10–20 mg BID

  • Start testosterone or estrogen replacement therapy if needed

Grade 2
  • Stop ICI treatment until symptoms stabilize by hormone supplementation

  • After amelioration of symptoms, resume administration of ICI

  • Consult an endocrinologist

  • Consider pituitary imaging

  • Perform hormone replacement therapy as performed for Grade 1 events

  • Perform frequent thyroid function and other hormonal tests until baseline levels are achieved

Grade 3
  • Same as above

  • Consult an endocrinologist

  • Consider pituitary imaging

  • Perform a pituitary function test on hospitalization

  • If adrenal insufficiency is present, start hydrocortisone 15–30 mg BID

  • Perform hormone replacement therapy as performed for Grade 1 events

  • Perform frequent thyroid function and other hormonal tests until baseline levels are achieved

Grade 4
  • Stop ICI treatment

  • Resume administration after recovery from crisis and stabilization of symptoms

  • Perform full-body management during hospitalization

  • Consult an endocrinologist

  • Immediately start administration of hydrocortisone 100–200 mg BID

  • Physiological saline infusion under cardiac function monitoring

  • Consider pituitary imaging

  • Perform frequent thyroid function and other hormonal tests until baseline levels are achieved

CTCAE, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events; ICI, immune checkpoint inhibitor; BID, bis in die