Asymptomatic Pembrolizumab-Associated Hypertriglyceridemia

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Authors: Lauren Yeager, Ralph Zinner, Zhonglin Hao
Cited by: 1
References: 5

Abstract

Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that is widely used in the treatment of solid and hematological malignancies but is associated with immune-related adverse events. While the management of pembrolizumab-associated symptomatic hypertriglyceridemia associated with pancreatitis has been described, there is a lack of guidance for the treatment of pembrolizumab-associated asymptomatic hypertriglyceridemia. Here, we report a rare adverse event of pembrolizumab-associated asymptomatic hypertriglyceridemia after nine doses of pembrolizumab. The patient's lipid panel revealed grade 4 hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia. Treatment was held, and the patient was treated with lipid-lowering therapies with improvement. Upon re-challenge, the grade 4 elevations returned while remaining asymptomatic. This case highlights a rare immune-related adverse event of asymptomatic hypertriglyceridemia. It underlines the importance of routine monitoring for adverse events with pembrolizumab, even in asymptomatic cases.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Lipid metabolism and disorders Inflammatory Biomarkers in Disease Prognosis Cancer Immunotherapy and Biomarkers

Publication details

Journal / source
Cureus
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
18
Issue
6
Pages
e110286–e110286
Publication date
5 June 2026
Language
EN