Fatal drug-induced liver injury in the setting of abemaciclib therapy for metastatic breast cancer.

Authors

Ranjini Vengilote, Syed Usman Ehsanullah, Mehul Patel

Published in

BMJ case reports. Volume 19. Issue 10. Oct 05, 2026. Epub Oct 05, 2026.

Abstract

Abemaciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor (CDK4/6i) for oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer can rarely cause severe liver injury. We report a fatal case of abemaciclib-induced mixed hepatocellular-cholestatic injury progressing to liver failure. A Hispanic woman in her mid-60s with metastatic ER+/HER2- breast cancer developed progressive hepatocellular-cholestatic injury 1 month after starting abemaciclib with letrozole. She presented with jaundice, pruritus and dark urine. Labs showed markedly elevated bilirubin, liver enzymes and alkaline phosphatase. Liver biopsy revealed portal inflammation, bile duct injury, cholestasis and steatosis. Extensive work-up excluded other causes. Despite initial fall in transaminases with drug withdrawal and high-dose steroids, her condition progressed with rising bilirubin and worsening coagulopathy signalling progressive loss of hepatic synthetic function suggestive of impending liver failure and death. In clinical trial, any-grade transaminase elevation occurs in 14%-15% of patients receiving abemaciclib, with grade 3 hepatotoxicity in 2.9%-4.8%. In a retrospective cohort of patients receiving abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy, 29% (15/52) developed abemaciclib-induced liver injury (AILI), with age ≥65 years, fatty liver disease and concomitant aromatase inhibitor use identified as risk factors. Educating patients to recognise early symptoms of liver injury is essential for prompt detection and management of AILI. This case highlights the need for patient education, close liver monitoring, early cessation of abemaciclib and consideration of genetic risk factors in high-risk patients.

PMID:
42833841
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.