OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the clinical profile of non thyroidal cancer patients with thyroid dysfunction associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH), Philippines.

METHODOLOGY

This is a retrospective observational study of TKI initiated adult non-thyroidal cancer patients with thyroid function testing from 2013 to 2018.

RESULTS

Forty percent (95% CI: 26.2% - 58.61%) of the sixty individuals who had thyroid function tests (TFT) had incident thyroid dysfunction. Thirty percent had hypothyroidism (i.e., 25% overt [mean TSH 16.64 uIU/mL]; 5% subclinical [mean TSH 6.62 uIU/mL]). The median time at risk was 8 and 16 months for overt and subclinical hypothyroidism, respectively. Fifty-six percent had persistent hypothyroidism (median TSH 16.75, p = 0.009). The average time to recovery of transient hypothyroidism was 39 months. Ten percent had hyperthyroidism with a median time at risk of 1.5 months. Non-small cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma were possible associated risk factors of thyroid dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

TKI-induced thyroid dysfunctions are common. Screening and monitoring for thyroid abnormalities during TKI therapy is important.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors ; Hypothyroidism ; Hyperthyroidism