scholarly journals Case Series Review of Neuroradiologic Changes Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Tosha N Gatson ◽  
Mina Makary ◽  
Shane P Bross ◽  
Joseph Vadakara ◽  
Tristan Maiers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Patient Treatment ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
First Case ◽  
Impact Patient Care

Abstract While immuno-oncotherapy (IO) has significantly improved outcomes in the treatment of systemic cancers, various neurological complications have accompanied these therapies. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) risks multi-organ autoimmune inflammatory responses with gastrointestinal, dermatologic, and endocrine complications being the most common types of complications. Despite some evidence that these therapies are effective to treat central nervous system (CNS) tumors, there are a significant range of related neurological side effects due to ICIs. Neuroradiologic changes associated with ICIs are commonly misdiagnosed as progression and might limit treatment or otherwise impact patient care. Here, we provide a radiologic case series review restricted to neurological complications attributed to ICIs, anti-CTLA-4 and PD-L-1/PD-1 inhibitors. We report the first case series dedicated to the review of CNS/PNS radiologic changes secondary to ICI therapy in cancer patients. We provide a brief case synopsis with neuroimaging followed by an annotated review of the literature relevant to each case. We present a series of neuroradiologic findings including nonspecific parenchymal and encephalitic, hypophyseal, neural (cranial and peripheral), meningeal, cavity associated, and cranial osseous changes seen in association with use of ICIs. Misdiagnosis of radiologic abnormalities secondary to neurological irAEs can impact patient treatment regimens and clinical outcomes. Rapid recognition of various neuroradiologic changes associated with ICI therapy can improve patient tolerance and adherence to cancer therapies.

scholarly journals Mathematical modelling of autoimmune myocarditis and the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solveig A. van der Vegt ◽  
Liudmila Polonchuk ◽  
Ken Wang ◽  
Sarah L. Waters ◽  
Ruth E. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Autoimmune Myocarditis ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Disease Characteristics ◽  
Bifurcation Structures

AbstractAutoimmune myocarditis is a rare, but frequently fatal, side effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), a class of cancer therapies. Despite extensive experimental work on the causes, development and progression of this disease, much still remains unknown about the importance of the different immunological pathways involved. We present a mathematical model of autoimmune myocarditis and the effects of ICIs on its development and progression to either resolution or chronic inflammation. From this, we gain a better understanding of the role of immune cells, cytokines and other components of the immune system in driving the cardiotoxicity of ICIs. We parameterise the model using existing data from the literature, and show that qualitative model behaviour is consistent with disease characteristics seen in patients in an ICI-free context. The bifurcation structures of the model show how the presence of ICIs increases the risk of developing autoimmune myocarditis. This predictive modelling approach is a first step towards determining treatment regimens that balance the benefits of treating cancer with the risk of developing autoimmune myocarditis.

scholarly journals Update on the role of pembrolizumab in patients with unresectable or metastatic colorectal cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628482110244
Author(s):  
Vanessa Wookey ◽  
Axel Grothey
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Multiple Cancer ◽  
Multiple Treatment

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type in both men and women in the USA. Most patients with CRC are diagnosed as local or regional disease. However, the survival rate for those diagnosed with metastatic disease remains disappointing, despite multiple treatment options. Cancer therapies for patients with unresectable or metastatic CRC are increasingly being driven by particular biomarkers. The development of various immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer therapy over the last decade by harnessing the immune system in the treatment of cancer, and the role of immunotherapy continues to expand and evolve. Pembrolizumab is an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitor and has become an essential part of the standard of care in the treatment regimens for multiple cancer types. This paper reviews the increasing evidence supporting and defining the role of pembrolizumab in the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic CRC.

scholarly journals P14.123 Neurological complications related to checkpoints inhibitors

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii97-iii98
Author(s):  
I Esparragosa ◽  
R Valenti-Azcarate ◽  
D Moreno-Ajona ◽  
J Gallego Perez de Larraya
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
Oral Prednisone ◽  
Fatal Outcome ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Ovarian Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Inflammatory Myositis ◽  
Oncological Treatment

Abstract BACKGROUND Currently, immunotherapy is part of the therapeutic arsenal for oncological treatment. Indeed, the need for new medications has led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Despite favourable oncological outcomes, these treatments have been associated with immune-related adverse events. Although infrequent, neurological toxicities have been reported. Early recognition is crucial for improvement of functional outcome and requires a multidisciplinary approach. OBJECTIVE To describe a case series of patients with neurological complications related to checkpoint inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified six oncological patients who presented immunomediated neurological complications, derived from the use of checkpoints inhibitors. Five cases were men. Ages ranged from 58 to 73 years. Nivolumab, alone or combined, was the most commonly associated drug (4/6). Underlying diseases included lung carcinoma (2/6), melanoma (2/6), renal carcinoma (1/6) and ovarian adenocarcinoma (1/6). An acute demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy and an acute axonal sensory polyneuropathy were documented in two and one case, respectively. In these, the cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed albuminocytologic dissociation. All three cases improved after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (0.4 g/Kg a day for five days). The latter and another case were diagnosed of aseptic meningitis after cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytic pleocytosis was found. High fever was also associated with lower extremities areflexia, weakness and ataxia. Methylprednisolone (1g/day for five days) was administered. One case of necrotizing inflammatory myositis with high levels of creatine kinasa, confirmed by muscular biopsy, involving cervical weakness and ptosis, was effectively treated with Methylprednisolone (1g/day for five days) follow by oral prednisone tapering. An anti-Yo related pancerebellar syndrome was the only case with a fatal outcome despite treatment. CONCLUSION The increasingly frequent use of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer may lead to an increase in neurological complications. These include a broad spectrum of syndromes with peripheral nervous system predominantly susceptible. Early identification of these and appropriate management of drug-related toxicity are required. Immune-modulating therapies are particularly beneficial.

Analysis of metastatic melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and the rates of adverse events of colitis and hepatitis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21591-e21591
Author(s):  
Emily Horan ◽  
Melissa Arneil ◽  
Wen Xu ◽  
Victoria Atkinson
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Therapy ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Oral Steroids ◽  
Intravenous Steroids

e21591 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) are widely used in metastatic melanoma (MM), where it has markedly improved survival outcomes. ICI induced autoimmune adverse reactions (irAE) manifest in all organ systems and are due to over-activation of the immune system. Clinically relevant irAE are colitis and hepatitis as drivers of morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data was collected from a single centre (Princess Alexandra Hospital) from the electronic medical records system and immunotherapy prescribing software. Patient demographics, treatments, complications and outcomes were recorded from 2016-2019. Eligible patients had to have received immunotherapy (pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, or nivolumab) and experienced colitis or hepatitis toxicity. Trial patients were excluded. Results: The cohort of 337 patients who had received immune therapy, 18% (n = 61) had hepatitis or colitis, mean age was 56 years, 64% male. The majority were stage 4d 28% (n = 17). Braf wildtype accounted for 56% (n = 34). The highest rates of irAE occurred on combination ipilimumab and nivolumab 56% (n = 34), 10% nivolumab (n = 6), 3% (n = 2) ipilimumab, and 31% (n = 19) pembrolizumab monotherapy. Colitis affected 61% of patients (n = 37), 30% (n = 18) were grade 3 severity. Hepatitis affected 48% (n = 29), 18% (n = 32) were grade 1. The majority required oral steroids (80%, n = 49), followed by intravenous steroids (51%, n = 31), infliximab (18%, n = 11) and mycophenolate in 5% (n = 3). Hospitalisation occurred in 56% (n = 34), 20% (n = 12) requiring treatment cessation. Progressive disease occurred in 62% (n = 38), and 13% (n = 8) had a complete response. Conclusions: The findings of this analysis mirror current literature with immunotherapies used, rates and severity of irAE. The management of irAE also aligned with current guidelines. Further research is required to investigate patient factors increasing the risk of developing irAE, and ideal treatment regimens. Analysing this large cohort, the incidence of toxicity was 17%, predominantly colitis followed by hepatitis. Patients were severely impacted requiring significant interventions to manage toxicity, hospitalisation and morbidity.

scholarly journals Combined lenvatinib and pembrolizumab as salvage therapy in advanced adrenal cortical carcinoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e001009
Author(s):  
Sara Bedrose ◽  
Kevin Charles Miller ◽  
Lina Altameemi ◽  
Mohamed S Ali ◽  
Sameh Nassar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Therapy ◽  
Salvage Therapy ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
First Case ◽  
Platinum Based Chemotherapy

BackgroundThere is no effective systemic therapy for metastatic adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy. The efficacies of single-agent oral multikinase inhibitors (MKIs) or salvage immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) have been very limited. It is unknown whether combining CPIs, such as pembrolizumab (PEM), with other therapies, such as MKIs, could yield higher response rates in ACC, yet this combination has shown promise in other cancers. Herein, we describe the first case series using PEM in combination with the MKI lenvatinib (LEN) in patients with progressive, metastatic ACC.MethodsA retrospective case series describing the use of LEN/PEM as salvage therapy in patients with progressive/metastatic ACC.ResultsEight patients were treated with the LEN/PEM combination therapy. Half were female, and the median age at time of diagnosis was 38 years (range 21–49). Three (37.5%) patients had hormonally active ACC. The median number of prior lines of systemic therapy was 4 (range 2–9). Six (75%) patients had had disease progression on prior CPIs and five (62.5%) patients had progressed on prior MKI therapy. The median progression-free survival was 5.5 months (95% CI 1.8–not reached) and median duration of therapy was 8.5 months (range 2–22). Two (25%) patients had a partial response, one (12.5%) patient had stable disease, and five (62.5%) patients had progressive disease. None of the eight patients stopped therapy because of adverse events.ConclusionsIn our small cohort of heavily pretreated patients with ACC, the combination of LEN/PEM was associated with objective responses in a subset of patients without significant toxicity. This combination should be formally investigated in phase II clinical trial with robust correlative studies to identify predictors for response.

scholarly journals Angiosarcoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a case series of seven patients from a single institution

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaia Florou ◽  
Andrew E. Rosenberg ◽  
Eric Wieder ◽  
Krishna V. Komanduri ◽  
Despina Kolonias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Single Institution

Bluish-gray fingernail discoloration due to the use of nivolumab

2020 ◽  
pp. 107815522092997
Author(s):  
Miguel Michel Ocampo ◽  
Jaren Lerner ◽  
Constantin A Dasanu
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Skin Toxicity ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
First Case ◽  
Nail Discoloration ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Causality Relationship

Introduction Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved clinical outcomes in a wide range of cancers. While skin toxicity is not uncommon with immune checkpoint inhibitors, generalized nail discoloration has not been reported with their use in oncology. Case report Herein, we report a unique case of bluish-gray fingernail discoloration due to nivolumab therapy for relapsed melanoma. Management and outcome: This condition reversed completely 10 weeks after nivolumab discontinuation. Naranjo nomogram assessment renders the causality relationship between nivolumab and nail discoloration probable. Discussion To our knowledge, this is the first case report of an unusual bluish-gray nail discoloration due to therapy with nivolumab. The mechanism by which nivolumab causes this side effect remains to be elucidated.

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