5-Fluorouracil-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy: A French national survey

Alice Boilève, Laure Thomas, Agnès Lillo-Le Louët, Louise Gaboriau, Laurent Chouchana, Michel Ducreux, David Malka, Valérie Boige, Antoine Hollebecque, Dominique Hillaire-Buys, Mathieu Jozwiak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy is a rare but serious 5-FU adverse drug reaction (ADR). Given the growing number of cancers treated with 5-FU and the paucity of data regarding this ADR, we performed a retrospective national survey to better characterise 5-FU-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy. Patients and methods: Since inception of the French pharmacovigilance database, we identified all patients who experienced 5-FU-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy. Variables regarding demographics, characteristics, management and outcome of patients were collected. Results: From 1986 to 2018, 30 patients were included. 5-FU-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy started 2 [1–4] days after 5-FU infusion onset. Most common neurological disorders were consciousness impairment, seizures and confusion. hyperammonaemia tended to be higher in patients with the lowest Glasgow score and admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) compared to non-ICU patients (250 [133–522] versus 139 [68–220] μmol/L respectively, p = NS). Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency was found in 27% of tested patients (n = 3/11). Encephalopathy-induced mortality was 17%, 57% of patients were admitted in ICU and 70% had a complete neurological recovery within 5 [2–10] days. A 5-FU rechallenge was considered in 14 (67%) patients with neurological recovery and a relapse was observed in 57% of them. No 5-FU-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy relapse was observed as long as 5-FU rechallenge was performed with decreased 5-FU dosage. Conclusion: We report the largest cohort of 5-FU-induced hyperammonaemic encephalopathy cases so far. This ADR should be suspected and ammonaemia measured in all patients experiencing neurological disorders after 5-FU administration. In patients with complete neurological recovery, a 5-FU rechallenge could be cautiously considered.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)32-40
Number of pages9
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume129
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • 5-Fluorouracil
  • Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase
  • Encephalopathy
  • Hyperammonaemia
  • Krebs cycle
  • Pharmacovigilance
  • Rechallenge
  • Urea cycle

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