Immunomodulatory drug-induced hypophysitis and other immunomodulatory adverse reactions in multiple organ systems

Several immunomodulating agents (specifically monoclonal antibodies) are used as targeted therapy to effectively manage both solid tumors and hematological malignancies. However, the occurrence of hypophysitis, an immune-related adverse event (iRAE) affecting the pituitary gland has been reported after use of certain monoclonal antibodies. Hypophysitis is one of the more common IRAE's to occur with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a popular medication class for common solid-state tumors. Immunomodulators have also been known to cause severe adverse reactions across different organ systems, often resulting in additional treatment on top of the oncological disease being treated. This review looked at case reports for single use and combination immunomodulating therapies including but not limited to antibody treatments and experimental medications resulting in hypophysitis and other adverse outcomes. Search terms included “hypophysitis” and “case study” or “adverse effects” and “names of individual immunomodulating agents” and/or “case studies” while only including new cases between 2022 and 2023. Clinicians should be aware of adverse effects associated with immunomodulators and monoclonal antibodies including hypophysitis and should be prepared to effectively manage the same.