Myocarditis and diaphragmatic rhabdomyolysis with respiratory failure in a patient with metastatic melanoma treated with Nivolumab

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110674
Author(s):  
Cinzia Baldessari ◽  
Giuseppe Pugliese ◽  
Marta Venturelli ◽  
Stefano Greco ◽  
Leonardo Ferrara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Event ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Diaphragmatic Dysfunction ◽  
Acute Rhabdomyolysis ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
History Of ◽  
Diaphragmatic Weakness

Introduction Immunotherapy dramatically changed history of melanoma patients with a clinical benefit never seen before. Nevertheless, severe and unexpected adverse effects can occur, fortunately rarely. Case presentation We reported the case of a 75-year-old male patient affected by metastatic melanoma who developed myocarditis and acute rhabdomyolysis with secondary diaphragmatic dysfunction and consequent pulmonary restrictive syndrome after Nivolumab monotherapy. Blood tests and ultrasonography of the diaphragm revealing left hypokinesis suggested a Nivolumab-related rhabdomyolysis, as an immune-mediated adverse event. The rhabdomylolysis involved the diaphragm with consequent diaphragmatic weakness and respiratory distress. Mangement & outcome The patient had a slow but slight and progressive improvement of symptoms and vital signs post-treatment with high-dose corticosteroids. Discussion With this case report, we want to highlight the importance of rapid recognition and treatment of rare and unexpected, but potential serious immune-related adverse events. These events might happen despite the remarkable clinical benefits of immune checkpoint inhibitors. We do not know which patients will benefit from these therapies and why, when and in which cases adverse event will occur: we must not lower our attention.

Sarcoidosis-like syndrome and lymphadenopathy due to checkpoint inhibitors

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 620-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belal Firwana ◽  
Rahul Ravilla ◽  
Mihir Raval ◽  
Laura Hutchins ◽  
Fade Mahmoud
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Adverse Event ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
T Lymphocyte ◽  
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Stage Iii ◽  
Lymphocyte Antigen

Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the management of metastatic melanoma. These checkpoints, namely the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 and the programmed T cell death 1 receptor, possess an inhibitory effect on the T cell function. Pharmacologic inhibition of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 with ipilimumab and programmed T cell death 1 with either pembrolizumab or nivolumab has resulted in long-term sustained responses among patients with metastatic melanoma. The adverse events of these medications are predominantly immune related. Sarcoidosis-like syndrome/lymphadenopathy represents a challenging adverse event to the oncologist as it can be mistaken for progressive disease. Hence, awareness of such adverse event and obtaining a biopsy of the enlarged lymph nodes will confirm the diagnosis and avoid the unnecessary change of current therapies for those with stage IV disease or adding new ones for those with stage III disease. We report three cases of immunotherapy-related sarcoidosis-like syndrome/lymphadenopathy; two cases occurred during adjuvant ipilimumab for stage III surgically resected melanoma and one case during pemprolizumab for stage IV metastatic melanoma.

scholarly journals Lipid Emulsion Treatment in Tricyclic Antidepressant Poisoning in Children: An Observational Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-17
Author(s):  
Esra Türe ◽  
Fatih Akın ◽  
Abdullah Yazar ◽  
Ahmet Osman Kılıç
Keyword(s):  
Vital Signs ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressant ◽  
High Dose ◽  
History Of ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Poisoning In Children ◽  
Conduction Disorder ◽  
Basic Treatment

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) poisonings are among the most common childhood poisonings because of being cheap and readily available. In this manuscript, we aimed to share our experience with Intravenous lipid emulsions (ILE) treatment in addition to basic treatment steps and discussion of effectiveness of treatment in cases of poisoning caused by high-dose TCA intake. From the patients under 18 years of age who admitted to Pediatric Emergency Department due to drug intoxication between January 2014 and December 2019; those who had history of exposure to TCAs were included in our study. In conclusion of examination of six-year patient records, it was determined that there were a total of 619 intoxication cases and 108 (17.4%) of these were TCA poisoning. 21 (19.4%) patients who had hypotension, tachycardia and ECG changes which were refractory to all basic treatment steps were administered ILE. After ILE treatment, a marked improvement was observed in patients’ clinical and ECG findings, as well as vital signs. Early administration of ILE treatment in emergency departments for cases with hypotension, conduction disorder, dysrhythmia or widened QRS which are refractory to sodium bicarbonate is thought to prevent potential cardiovascular complications.

scholarly journals Severe Myositis, Myocarditis, and Myasthenia Gravis with Elevated Anti-Striated Muscle Antibody following Single Dose of Ipilimumab-Nivolumab Therapy in a Patient with Metastatic Melanoma

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Fazel ◽  
Patrick M. Jedlowski
Keyword(s):  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Intravenous Immunoglobulin ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Supportive Therapy ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Myasthenic Crisis ◽  
Respiratory Compromise

Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein 1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 have improved survival in patients with metastatic melanoma, especially in combination (i.e., ipilimumab-nivolumab). Postmarketing surveillance has identified rare but at times life-threatening adverse effects associated with these agents in combination and as monotherapy, which include myocarditis, myositis, myasthenia gravis (MG), and hepatotoxicity. Further evaluation of immune checkpoint therapy-induced MG identified the rapid clinical progression, prolonged treatment/supportive therapy course, and higher frequency of myasthenic crisis in these patients versus those with idiopathic MG. More rapid incorporation of aggressive treatment options (i.e., intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis) may be necessary in these cases. Anti-striational antibodies are often detected in individuals with myasthenia gravis and concurrent myositis and myocarditis. A high-index of suspicion is necessary to assist with rapid treatment initiation as these patients can rapidly deteriorate into respiratory compromise. A case of a 78-year-old woman with metastatic melanoma status after combination therapy with ipilimumab-nivolumab that developed transaminitis, myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis (with positive anti-striational antibodies) five days after the first cycle, is presented. Despite high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, she ultimately entered hospice care eight days after hospital admission, 36 days after her first cycle.

scholarly journals Immunotherapy-induced endocrinopathies: assessment, management and monitoring

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 204201881989618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edson Nogueira ◽  
Tom Newsom-Davis ◽  
Daniel L. Morganstein
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Event ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Hormone Deficiency ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Immune Mediated

Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has transformed the treatment of cancer, but frequently results in immune-mediated adverse events affecting multiple organs, amongst which endocrine adverse events are frequent. The patterns of endocrine adverse events differ between inhibitors of the CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways, but most frequently involve the thyroid and pituitary with insulin deficient diabetes also emerging as an important adverse event. These frequently result in long-lasting hormone deficiency requiring replacement. This review explores the mechanism of action of checkpoint inhibitors and details the expected endocrine adverse events and typical presentations. The effect of high-dose glucocorticoids therapy to treat nonendocrine adverse events is also discussed.

scholarly journals Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction following nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy for metastatic melanoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mami Ishibashi ◽  
Yoshihiro Ishida ◽  
Atsushi Otsuka ◽  
Shuji Yamamoto ◽  
Kenji Kabashima
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Early Recognition ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Prompt Treatment ◽  
Prompt Diagnosis

Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are commonly observed in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), and prompt diagnosis and treatment of irAEs is of utmost importance. Gastrointestinal (GI) events are among the most frequent irAEs and the hallmark symptom is diarrhea. Intestinal hypomotility as irAEs is exceedingly rare, and needs wider recognition given that the presentation is insidious.Here, we report a case of 79-year-old woman with metastatic melanoma under nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy. She developed ileus symptom, and was diagnosed with acute colonic pseudo-obstruction. The symptom relieved soon after administering high-dose prednisolone five days after the onset. ICI therapy was discontinued.Intestinal hypomotility as GI irAEs is exceedingly rare and there have been five reported cases to our knowledge. In reviewing past cases, we speculate that the prompt initiation of corticosteroids resulted in a favorable outcome. Our case illustrates that early recognition of these rare irAEs is essential in order to ensure prompt treatment.

scholarly journals Vitiligo-like Leukoderma as an Indicator of Clinical Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Late-stage Melanoma Patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Verkhovskaia ◽  
Francesca Romana Di Pietro ◽  
Simona Mastroeni ◽  
Maria Luigia Carbone ◽  
Damiano Abeni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Cox Model ◽  
Immune Therapy ◽  
Group Analysis ◽  
Favorable Outcome ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Melanoma Patients

Abstract Purpose. Although development of immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic melanoma, more than a half of treated patients experience disease progression during therapy. Cases of spontaneous vitiligo-like leukoderma have been described in melanoma patients and have been associated with a favorable outcome. This vitiligo-like leukoderma can also appear in melanoma patients undergoing immune therapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, no consensus exists about the relationship between vitiligo-like leukoderma onset and improved overall survival. Our study investigates the possible association between the onset of vitiligo-like leukoderma during immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment and a better prognosis.Methods. A non-concurrent cohort study was conducted by identifying retrospectively 280 patients who had inoperable or metastatic melanoma and had undergone immune therapy with checkpoint inhibitors in any line of treatment. Toxicities developed during therapy were evaluated. Results. Among the 280 study participants, 50% developed at least one type of toxicity, and vitiligo-like leukoderma was observed in 43 patients (15.4%). In the multivariate Cox model, a protective effect for mortality was observed for patients with vitiligo-like leukoderma development (HR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.11-0.44, p <0.0001). In a sub-group analysis comprising only cutaneous melanoma in first line of treatment (N=153), occurrence of vitiligo-like leukoderma was also an independent predictor factor for duration of clinical benefits measured by time to the next treatment (HR:0.17; 95% CI:0.06-0.44). Conclusion. Our findings indicate that onset of vitiligo-like leukoderma during melanoma treatment could be a marker of favorable outcome in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

scholarly journals Combination immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy nivolumab and ipilimumab associated with multiple endocrinopathies

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florence Gunawan ◽  
Elizabeth George ◽  
Adam Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Insipidus ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Acid Decarboxylase ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
High Dose ◽  
List Type ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Symptom Resolution

Summary Immune checkpoint inhibitors are the mainstay of treatment for advanced melanoma, and their use is being increasingly implicated in the development of autoimmune endocrinopathies. We present a case of a 52-year-old man with metastatic melanoma on combination nivolumab and ipilumimab therapy who developed concurrent hypophysitis, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and diabetes insipidus. He presented prior to third cycle of combination treatment with a headache, myalgias and fatigue. Biochemistry and MRI pituitary confirmed anterior pituitary dysfunction with a TSH: 0.02 mU/L (0.5–5.5 mU/L), fT4: 5.2 pmol/L (11–22 pmol/L), fT3: 4.0 pmol/L (3.2–6.4 pmol/L), cortisol (12:00 h): <9 nmol/L (74–286 nmol/L), FSH: 0.7 IU/L (1.5–9.7 IU/L), LH: <0.1 IU/L (1.8–9.2 IU/L), PRL: 1 mIU/L (90–400 mIU/L), SHBG: 34 nmol/L (19–764 nmol/L) and total testosterone: <0.4 nmol/L (9.9–27.8 nmol/L). High-dose dexamethasone (8 mg) was administered followed by hydrocortisone, thyroxine and topical testosterone replacement. Two weeks post administration of the third cycle, he became unwell with lethargy, weight loss and nocturia. Central diabetes insipidus was diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and sodium of 149 mmol/L (135–145 mmol/L). Desmopressin nasal spray was instituted with symptom resolution and normalization of serum sodium. Three weeks later, he presented again polyuric and polydipsic. His capillary glucose was 20.8 mmol/L (ketones of 2.4 mmol), low C-peptide 0.05 nmol/L (0.4–1.5 nmol/L) and HbA1c of 7.7%. T1DM was suspected, and he was commenced on an insulin infusion with rapid symptom resolution. Insulin antibodies glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), insulin antibody-2 (IA-2) and zinc transporter-8 (ZnT8) were negative. A follow-up MRI pituitary revealed findings consistent with recovering autoimmune hypophysitis. Immunotherapy was discontinued based on the extent of these autoimmune endocrinopathies. Learning points: The most effective regime for treatment of metastatic melanoma is combination immunotherapy with nivolumab and ipilumimab, and this therapy is associated with a high incidence of autoimmune endocrinopathies. Given the high prevalence of immune-related adverse events, the threshold for functional testing should be low. Traditional antibody testing may not be reliable to identify early-onset endocrinopathy. Routine screening pathways have yet to be adequately validated through clinical trials.

Concurrent Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease and impressive response to immune checkpoint blockade in metastatic melanoma

Immunotherapy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 439-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Gambichler ◽  
C Seifert ◽  
M Lehmann ◽  
C Lukas ◽  
C Scheel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Ocular Ultrasound ◽  
Melanoma Patients ◽  
Dose Corticosteroid

Background: Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease (VKHD)-like symptoms have previously been reported in 11 melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Materials & methods: We report a female patient with multilocular metastatic melanoma who was treated with nivolumab. Results: Following the first nivolumab dose, she experienced bilateral blurry vision, hearing loss, vertigo and ataxia. Ocular ultrasound was consistent with the diagnosis of uveitis. Audiography revealed severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. A high-dose corticosteroid regimen was initiated under which the patient developed generalized vitiligo. Abdominal and thoracic CT scans showed an almost complete response to nivolumab therapy. This patient fulfilled all criteria of VKHD which is characterized pathogenetically by an antimelanocytic autoimmune process. Conclusion: The present case showed an impressive response to antimelanoma immunotherapy. Based on these data, the occurrence of VKHD in melanoma patients appears to be a strong indicator for immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy.

scholarly journals E-Cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) Mimicking COVID-19 Disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Jose A. Rodriguez ◽  
Alejandra A. Roa ◽  
Juan C. Lemos-Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Empiric Antibiotic ◽  
The Usa ◽  
History Of

Background. Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus associated with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) causing a pandemic worldwide in 2020. There are other noninfectious diseases that can present exactly as COVID-19, and the management and approach are completely different, hence the importance of understanding and having a wide differential in patients presenting with similar characteristics. Case Report. A 23-year-old male, with a history of childhood asthma, presented to the Emergency Department in a hospital in south Florida in the USA with complaints of a 2-day duration of subjective fever, chills, dry cough, dyspnea, and myalgia. His vital signs were blood pressure 135/65 mmHg, temperature 39°C, pulse 134 bpm, respiratory rate 22 breaths per minute, and saturation of oxygen 96% in room air. Laboratory analysis was significant for white blood cells 15.3 × 10 3 /μL, ALT 69 U/L, AST 66 U/L, ferritin 375.6 ng/mL, C-reactive protein 27.70 mg/dL, and procalcitonin 1.43 ng/mL. A respiratory pathogen panel (RPP) and a SARS-CoV-2 test were both negative. The patient was given empiric antibiotic treatment and hydroxychloroquine. Two more tests for SARS-CoV-2 were negative, and the patient reported that he smoked marijuana through an e-cigarette. The patient was started on high-dose steroids, and symptoms improved. Conclusion. COVID-19 is an emergent lung disease that is affecting the population worldwide; many other noninfectious diseases can mimic its presentations and laboratory characteristics; the importance of having a broad differential diagnosis especially in causing confusion during pandemic times is valuable in the management of patients with such presentations, such as EVALI, and glucocorticoids will be indicated in this circumstances.

The outcome and toxicity profile of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy subsequent to high-dose IL-2 in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (8_suppl) ◽  
pp. 14-14
Author(s):  
Stephanie A. Berg ◽  
Joseph I. Clark ◽  
Elizabeth Henry ◽  
Courtney Regan Wagner ◽  
Robert Charles Flanigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Metastatic Melanoma ◽  
Renal Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Survival Difference ◽  
Two Measures

14 Background: Approved treatments for metastatic melanoma (MM) and metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) include targeted agents, high dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) and checkpoint inhibitors (CI). A subset of responders to HD-IL2 can achieve long term durable remissions (7-10%). Recently, data suggests that durable remissions are possible with CI. Thus, despite increased toxicity, first-line immunotherapy with HD-IL2 is a reasonable consideration in carefully selected patients with clear cell mRCC and MM followed by CI upon relapse. Our study explores the utility and safety of CI subsequent to HD-IL2 in patients (pts) in this population. Methods: We conducted a single institution retrospective analysis of pts with MM or mRCC who received HD-IL2 and subsequent CI from 2008-2017. Pts treated with prior targeted therapy were included. Statistical analysis was performed using Fischer's exact tests, log-rank test for KM analysis and non-parametric Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests to compare the groups. Results: We identified 34 unique pts (19 MM, 15 mRCC) from our pre-specified cohort. Pts were male (73%), Caucasian (88%), and median age=53. mRCC pts received more cancer related treatments than MM prior to CIs after HD-IL2 was given (2 vs. 1, p=0.002), had more total CI cycles administered (12 vs. 7, p=0.10) but less IL-2 doses than MM pts (20 vs. 24, p=0.26). mRCC pts tended to record higher HD-IL2 toxicity grade compared to MM pts (exact =0.04). 26% (9/34) of pts experienced a grade 2 or higher CI toxicity. Pts had higher HD IL-2 toxicities than CI toxicities during therapy but these two measures were not significantly correlated (r=0.07, p=0.73); furthermore, there was no survival difference between pts with reported grade 2 or higher CI toxicity compared to pts without any CI toxicity ( p=0.14). Conclusions: Our study suggests that CI therapy after HD-IL2 is feasible and not associated with more frequent toxicity or less clinical efficacy in pts with MM or mRCC.

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