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. 2021 Jun 15;6(4):100185. doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100185

Table 2.

Chemotherapy-associated acute steatohepatitis (CASH)—bullet points

Chemotherapeutics associated with CASH?
  • Methotrexate, 5-fluoruracil, irinotecan, tamoxifen, L-asparaginase

Risk factors for developing CASH?
  • Chronic liver disease, metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension), genetic risk factors (polymorphism in PNPLA3 genotype)

Diagnostic work-up?
  • Medical history

  • Standard laboratory analysis

  • Rule-in/-out previously undiagnosed chronic liver disease (CLD) if either (i) medical history or (ii) laboratory markers are indicative for chronic liver disease

  • If suspicious of CLD → perform diagnostic work-up including abdominal ultrasound, exclusion of other causes of CLD, non-invasive fibrosis scores

  • Discuss liver biopsy with your local hepatologist: risk/benefit

  • Discuss risk/benefits of chemotherapy with the patient

  • DO NOT delay initiation of chemotherapy longer than necessary

Monitoring during chemotherapy?
  • Tight monitoring recommended in patients at high risk for CASH during chemotherapy

PNPLA3, Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3.