Tegafur-uracil-induced rapid development of advanced hepatic fibrosis

Abstract

Tegafur-uracil has been reported to have only minor adverse effects and is associated with liver injury in 1.79% of Japanese patients. The development of tegafur-uracil-induced hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension is rare. Here, we report a case of a 74-year-old woman with rapidly developing tegafur-uracil-induced hepatic fibrosis. The patient had no history of liver disease and had been treated with tegafur-uracil for 8 mo after breast cancer surgery. The patient was admitted to our hospital for abdominal distension and leg edema associated with liver dysfunction. Computed tomography imaging revealed massive ascites and splenomegaly, and a non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis indicated advanced fibrosis. The histopathological findings revealed periportal fibrosis and bridging fibrosis with septation. The massive ascites resolved after discontinuing tegafur-uracil. These findings suggest that advanced hepatic fibrosis can develop from a relatively short-term administration of tegafur-uracil and that non-invasive assessment is useful for predicting hepatic fibrosis.

Key Words: Tegafur-uracil, Drug-induced liver injury, Hepatic fibrosis, Portal hypertension, Non-invasive assessment

Core tip: This case report presents a rapid development of hepatic fibrosis induced by tegafur-uracil and the usefulness of a non-invasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis. Tegafur-uracil is often administered in patients with various cancers; therefore, when liver dysfunction progresses in patients treated with tegafur-uracil, the development of hepatic fibrosis should be considered, even for short-term administration.

INTRODUCTION

Tegafur-uracil is used worldwide as a treatment for various cancers, such as those of the lung, colon, liver, and breast. The oral administration of tegafur-uracil has been reported to have only minor adverse effects and, as such, is considered suitable for long-term administration[1,2]. Studies with a special focus on drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and drug safety have reported that tegafur-uracil is associated with liver injury in 1.79% of Japanese patients. The development of associated advanced hepatic fibrosis is unusual. In fact, studies have shown that advanced hepatic fibrosis develops only after the long-term administration of tegafur-uracil[1,3]. Here, we report a case that rapidly progressed to advanced hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension. The patient had been treated with short-term tegafur-uracil chemotherapy, and a non-invasive assessment was useful for the diagnosis and prediction of hepatic fibrosis.

CASE REPORT

A 74-year-old woman who was treated with amlodipine for hypertension for more than 10 years was admitted to our hospital for abdominal distension and leg edema. The patient had undergone a muscle-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer in the left breast 9 mo prior. The histopathological examination showed stage I estrogen receptor- and progesterone receptor-negative apocrine carcinoma. The patient was therefore put on a regimen of tegafur-uracil (400 mg daily) for 8 mo. There was no history of liver disease or alcohol abuse, and there was no family history of liver disease. Before breast cancer surgery, computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated neither chronic liver disease nor splenomegaly (Figure 1A), and a blood examination showed normal platelet counts (19.2 × 10⁴/μL), no coagulopathy (prothrombin time activity 104%), and no liver dysfunction (total bilirubin 0.5 mg/dL, aspartate aminotransferase 22 U/L, alanine aminotransferase 14 U/L, alkaline phosphatase 320 mg/dL, gamma-glutamyl transferase 24 U/L). Two months after the administration of tegafur-uracil, her blood examination revealed increased serum transaminase levels. She was therefore prescribed ursodeoxycholic acid as a supportive liver therapy because of a suspicion of DILI. However, upon admission, her blood examination showed low platelet counts, persistent liver dysfunction, and increased levels of fibrosis markers such as type 4 collagen 7S and hyaluronic acid. The anti-hepatitis-B core (HBc) test was weakly positive; however, the HBV-DNA test was negative, suggesting a past infection (Table 1). CT imaging revealed the presence of massive ascites and splenomegaly (Figure 1B), and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed grade 1 esophageal varices without red spots (Figure 1C). The magnetic resonance (MR) elastography and Virtual Touch Quantification (VTQ) values were 7.0 kPa and 2.54 m/s, respectively (Figure 2A and B). These findings suggested that the patient had hepatic failure accompanied by portal hypertension and advanced hepatic fibrosis. Although her serum immunoglobulin levels were normal, she was positive for anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) (anti-centromere type) (Table 1). A liver biopsy was performed because primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) was suspected. Histopathological examination revealed spotty necrosis in zone 3 and interface hepatitis, including lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, all in zone 1 (Figure 3A and B). A Marked ballooning of hepatocytes with Mallory bodies was noted (Figure 3C). Periportal fibrosis and bridging fibrosis with partial septation were observed (Figure 3D). The intralobular bile ducts had partially degenerated, but neither chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis nor cholestasis were detected. There was no pathological copper or iron accumulation. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with tegafur-uracil-induced liver injury with a rapid development of advanced hepatic fibrosis. Discontinuation of tegafur-uracil combined with conservative treatment, including a diuretic, immediately improved the patient’s serum transaminase levels and prothrombin activity. The massive ascites was improved after 1 mo (Figure 4). Thirteen months after drug discontinuation, the patient’s type IV collagen 7S and hyaluronic acid levels were improved from 16 ng/mL to 6.5 ng/mL and from 653.4 ng/mL to 112.2 ng/mL, respectively, suggesting an alleviation of hepatic fibrosis.

Table 1 Laboratory data on admission.

WBC	5750/μL	ALP	670 mg/dL	Type 4 collagen 7S	16 ng/mL
RBC	2.99 × 106/μL	LDH	386 mg/dL	Hyaluronic acid	653.4 ng/mL
Hb	11.7 g/dL	γGTP	97 U/L
PLT	5.3 × 106/μL	ChE	68 U/L	ANA	× 1280
		T. Cho	120 g/dL	(anti-centromere type)
PT%	40%	BUN	18.6 mg/dL	AMA	(-)
PT-INR	1.63	Cre	0.65 mg/dL	ASMA	(-)
		Na	140 mEq/L
T.P.	6.1 g/dL	K	3.9 mEq/L	HBs Ag	(-)
Alb	2.9 g/dL	Cl	105 mEq/L	HBc Ab	9.36 S/CO
T. Bil	1.7 mg/dL	NH3	44 µg/dL	HBV DNA	(-)
D. Bil	0.8 mg/dL	IgG	1591.2 mg/dL	HCV Ab	(-)
AST	130 U/L	IgA	636.4 mg/dL
ALT	80 U/L	IgM	107.4 mg/dL

WBC: White blood cell count; RBC: Red blood cell count; Hb: Hemoglobin; PLT: Platelet count; PT%: Prothrombin time; PT-INR: Prothrombin time-international normalized ratio; T.P.: Total protein; Alb: Albumin; T.Bil: Total bilirubin; D.Bil: Direct bilirubin; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; LDH: Lactate dehydrogenase; γGTP: Gamma-glutamyl transferase; ChE: Cholinesterase; T.Cho: Total cholesterol; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; Cre: Creatinine; NH3: Ammonia; IgG: Immunoglobulin G; IgA: Immunoglobulin A; IgM: Immunoglobulin M; ANA: Anti-nuclear antibody; AMA: Anti-mitochondrial antibody; ASMA: Anti-smooth muscle antibody; HBsAg; Hepatitis B surface antigen; HBcAb: Hepatitis B core antibody; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HCV Ab: Hepatitis C virus antibody.

Figure 1 Computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy images. A: CT imaging showed neither chronic liver disease nor splenomegaly before breast cancer surgery; B: Eight months after treatment with tegafur-uracil, CT imaging revealed the presence of massive ascites and splenomegaly; C: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed grade 1 esophageal varices (arrowheads).

Figure 2 Magnetic resonance elastography and virtual touch quantification in the liver. A: Elastography showed that the shear stiffness of the liver was 7.0 kPa; B: A region of interest was placed the right lobe and the median value of the measured shear wave velocity was 2.54 m/s.

Figure 3 Histopathological analysis of the liver. A: Histopathological examination showed interface hepatitis; B: Infiltration of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils (arrowheads); C: Markedly ballooning of hepatocytes with Mallory bodies was observed (arrows) (hematoxylin-eosin staining, magnification A: × 200, B: × 400, C: × 400); D: Azan staining showed periportal fibrosis and bridging fibrosis with partial septation (Azan staining, magnification: × 100).

Figure 4 Clinical course. Serum ALT levels increased after the administration of tegafur-uracil. With liver-supporting treatment, the serum ALT levels temporarily improved. However, serum ALT levels increased again, and the patient was referred to our hospital after 8 mo. Discontinuation of tegafur-uracil combined with conservative treatment improved serum ALT levels, platelet counts, and prothrombin activity. PT%: Prothrombin time; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase.

DISCUSSION

Only five cases of tegafur-uracil-induced hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension have been described in the literature[1,3,4] (Table 2). These patients were treated with tegafur-uracil over a long period (23-54 mo; mean 39.6 mo), and their pathological findings showed periportal fibrosis and bridging fibrosis following liver biopsy. In our case, massive ascites, esophageal varices, and splenomegaly appeared 8 mo after drug administration. Hepatic fibrosis has been previously described in patients treated with tegafur-uracil over 23-54 mo, but the present case developed liver fibrosis only 8 mo after the administration of this medication, which suggested that a relatively short-term treatment with tegafur-uracil induced advanced hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension. We initially suspected tegafur-uracil-induced liver dysfunction on the basis of previous chronic liver disease. In particular, because anti-centromere type ANA is a significant risk factor for the development of portal hypertension in patients with PBC[5,6], we suspected PBC in this patient, and a liver biopsy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed the marked ballooning of hepatocytes and infiltration of neutrophils and eosinophils. However, contrary to our expectations, features consistent with PBC were not observed. In addition, the patient did not have a history of chronic liver disease or alcohol abuse, and a previous CT imaging did not show chronic liver disease or splenomegaly. It is difficult to diagnose atypical PBC, even if historical analysis is performed; however, PBC usually develops slowly without an acute onset or acute exacerbation[7,8]. The clinical course necessitated the discontinuation of tegafur-uracil therapy. This treatment plan improved the patient’s liver dysfunction. Therefore, it appeared that advanced hepatic fibrosis was induced by the short-term administration of tegafur-uracil.

Table 2 Tegafur-uracil-induced hepatic fibrosis.

Cases	Age (yr)	Sex	Daily dose (mg)	Duration (mo)	Type 4 collagen 7S (ng/mL)	Hepatic fibrosis	Portal hypertension
1[1]	81	M	400	48	12	Bridging fibrosis	Esophageal varices
							Ascites
2[3]	76	F	NA	24	NA	Bridging fibrosis	Ascites
3[4]	82	M	300	48	12	Bridging fibrosis	NA
4[4]	73	M	300	23	11	Bridging fibrosis	NA
5[4]	68	F	400	55	12	Bridging fibrosis	NA
Our case	74	F	400	8	16	Bridging fibrosis	Esophageal varices
						With septation	Ascites
							Splenomegaly

M: Male; F: Female; NA: Not available.

Autoimmunity is related to liver injury induced by some drugs, such as herbal products, minocycline, diclofenac, statins, and other biological agents[9,10]. In our case, the mechanism underlying the rapid development of hepatic fibrosis was unclear. However, certain mechanisms that underlie autoimmune reactions may have been associated with the rapid progression of fibrosis.

Recent studies have suggested that non-invasive assessments of liver fibrosis, including approaches that use MR elastography[11,12] and VTQ[13-15], are useful for predicting hepatic fibrosis in patients with liver disease, particularly in those with chronic hepatitis C. Suou et al[1,4] reported that hepatic fibrosis without elevated transaminase levels could be induced by the long-term oral administration of tegafur-uracil and that certain serum fibrosis markers, such as type IV collagen 7S, were useful for the diagnosis of tegafur-uracil-induced hepatic fibrosis[1,4]. In our case, serum fibrosis markers, MR elastography, and VTQ indicated the presence of advanced hepatic fibrosis. Histopathological findings from liver biopsy specimens supported the findings obtained using the abovementioned techniques. These data suggest that non-invasive approaches may be useful in diagnosing hepatic fibrosis in patients with DILI.

In conclusion, our case suggests that short-term treatment with tegafur-uracil may lead to the rapid development of hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension. Tegafur-uracil can occasionally induce liver injury, which may develop into advanced hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension. However, hepatic fibrosis is not evaluated in many cases. Thus, when liver dysfunction progresses in patients who are treated with tegafur-uracil even for short periods, oncologists should consider hepatic fibrosis and perform a non-invasive assessment to rule out this possibility.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 74-year-old Japanese woman who was treated with tegafur-uracil for 8 mo after breast cancer surgery presented with abdominal distension and leg edema.

Clinical diagnosis

Massive ascites and leg edema.

Differential diagnosis

Primary biliary cholangitis.

Laboratory diagnosis

Laboratory examination revealed low platelet counts, liver dysfunction, and high hepatic fibrosis markers such as type 4 collagen 7S and hyaluronic acid.

Imaging diagnosis

CT imaging revealed massive ascites and splenomegaly, and both of MR elastography and VTQ indicated advanced hepatic fibrosis.

Pathological diagnosis

Pathological examination revealed bridging fibrosis with septation, suggesting advanced hepatic fibrosis.

Treatment

Discontinuation of tegafur-uracil combined with conservative treatment.

Related reports

Some studies have shown the development of hepatic fibrosis induced by tegafur-uracil. However, all of the previously described patients had been treated with tegafur-uracil for a long period of time.

Term explanation

Tegafur-uracil has minor adverse effects and is associated with liver injury in only 1.79% of Japanese patients. Tegafur-uracil-induced hepatic fibrosis is rare.

Experiences and lesson

The present case suggests that tegafur-uracil may lead to the rapid development of hepatic fibrosis with portal hypertension, even when administered for a short period of time.

Peer-review

This is a well written case report. The case is rare and unusual in view of the rapid progression of the fibrosis.