Risk factors for irinotecan-induced liver injury: a retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study in China

ObjectivesThe hepatotoxicity of irinotecan has been widely implicated in the treatment of multiple solid tumours. However, there are few studies on the influencing factors of irinotecan-induced hepatotoxicity. Herein, we investigated the risk factors for irinotecan-induced liver injury among 421 patients receiving irinotecan-based regimens (IBRs). DesignRetrospective multi-centre cross-sectional study. SettingThis study surveyed four hospitals in China. ParticipantsAfter excluding participants with missing variables, we retrospectively collected the demographic, clinical and therapeutic data of 421 patients who received IBRs in four hospitals between January 2020 and December 2021 and divided the patients into two groups: those without liver injury and those with liver injury. ResultsThe 421 enrolled patients were grouped (liver injury group: n=92; control group: n=329) according to their hepatic biochemical monitoring parameters. In our study, the multivariate logistic regression results showed that three to four cycles of chemotherapy (OR (95% CI): 2.179 (1.272 to 3.733); p=0.005) and liver metastasis (OR (95% CI): 1.748 (1.079 to 2.833); p=0.023) were independent risk factors for irinotecan-induced liver injury. The Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that alcohol consumption history (OR (95% CI): 2.032 (1.183 to 3.491); p=0.010) and a cumulative dose of irinotecan & GE;1000 mg (OR (95% CI): 0.362 (0.165 to 0.792); p=0.011) were significantly correlated with the onset time of irinotecan-induced liver injury. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that patients with liver metastasis or who received three to four cycles of chemotherapy should undergo rigorous liver function monitoring to prevent or reduce the incidence of irinotecan-induced liver injury. Moreover, patients with a history of alcohol consumption should also be closely monitored.