Oncological-Therapy-Associated Liver Injuries

Abstract

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) represents a large group of hepatic disease caused by various treatments, including oncological agents. The liver is an important organ with a role in drug metabolization and excretion and may be affected when oncologic treatment is initiated. The most common liver disease patterns induced by oncologic therapy are steatosis and steatohepatitis, focal nodular hyperplasia, pseudocirrhosis, acute hepatitis, hepatic necrosis, immune-mediated hepatitis, cholestasis, fibrosis and cirrhosis, sinusal obstructive syndrome. In rare cases, chemotherapy treatment is associated with a high-risk hepatic adenoma or hepatocellular carcinoma development. It was demonstrated that the majority of chemotherapy classes can induce these effects on the liver, for example, alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and antitumor antibiotics, but also immunotherapy agents can be involved. The majority of patients that receive oncological treatment who developed liver injury as adverse reactions are identified by symptoms and/or blood test abnormalities. Imaging techniques may be helpful in the diagnosis of oncological-therapy-associated liver injuries, for example, focal nodular hyperplasia, pseudocirrhosis, and sinusal obstructive syndrome. If liver disease occurs as an adverse effect of these agents, the recommendation to stop or continue the administration of oncologic treatment with close monitoring relies upon the risk and benefits of this medication.