Asymptomatic brainstem lesions and pachymeningeal enhancement after anti-PD-1 therapy

Immunotherapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-17
Author(s):  
Carlen A Yuen ◽  
Kourosh Rezania ◽  
Deric M Park ◽  
Anthony T Reder

Neurological immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are rare toxicities that occur following immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. We propose that patients with thymic malignancies and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are predisposed to irAEs. We present two asymptomatic patients, one with thymoma and another with GVHD, who developed abnormal brain MRIs after treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors. The first patient, with thymic cancer and thymoma, developed pontine enhancing MRI lesions following treatment with pembrolizumab. The second patient, with prior GVHD, developed pachymeningeal enhancement following treatment with nivolumab. IrAEs with abnormal MRI studies, despite asymptomatology, have significant impact on the treatment strategy for these patients.

Author(s):  
Antoine N. Saliba ◽  
Zhuoer Xie ◽  
Alexandra S. Higgins ◽  
Xavier A. Andrade‐Gonzalez ◽  
Harry E. Fuentes‐Bayne ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonella Laria ◽  
Alfredomaria Lurati ◽  
Laura Castelnovo ◽  
Antonio Tamburello ◽  
Paola Maria Faggioli ◽  
...  

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein-4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and its ligand PD-L1 are established cancer immunotherapies for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies. These therapies are involved in immune-related adverse events (irAE), both general and rheumatic ones. In general, immune-related adverse events (irAE) management includes drug-holding, tapering doses of corticosteroids, and specific immunosuppression for clinically severe cases, such as infliximab or mycophenolate.


Dermatitis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandria M. Brown ◽  
Wylie Masterson ◽  
Jonathan Lo ◽  
Anisha B. Patel

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O.F. Khan ◽  
J. Monzon

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICIT) is now standard of care for a variety of cancers in both the metastatic and adjuvant settings. As a result, it is imperative to understand the timing, epidemiology, monitoring, diagnosis, and management of immune related adverse events (irAEs) associated with ICIT. This article reviews specific irAEs by organ system, consolidating recommendations from multiple guidelines and incorporating data from case reports to highlight additional evolving therapeutic options for patients. Managing these adverse events requires early recognition, early intervention, and education of both patients and the multidisciplinary health care team. Given the durable responses observed with ICIT, and the irreversible nature associated with some of these irAEs, further research into management of the sequelae of ICIT is required.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 576-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamzah Abu-Sbeih ◽  
David M. Faleck ◽  
Biagio Ricciuti ◽  
Robin B. Mendelsohn ◽  
Abdul R. Naqash ◽  
...  

PURPOSE The risk of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy–related GI adverse events in patients with cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been well described. We characterized GI adverse events in patients with underlying IBD who received immune checkpoint inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of patients with documented IBD who received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy between January 2010 and February 2019. Backward selection and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to assess risk of GI adverse events. RESULTS Of the 102 included patients, 17 received therapy targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, and 85 received monotherapy targeting programmed cell death 1 or its ligand. Half of the patients had Crohn’s disease, and half had ulcerative colitis. The median time from last active IBD episode to immunotherapy initiation was 5 years (interquartile range, 3-12 years). Forty-three patients were not receiving treatment of IBD. GI adverse events occurred in 42 patients (41%) after a median of 62 days (interquartile range, 33-123 days), a rate higher than that among similar patients without underlying IBD who were treated at centers participating in the study (11%; P < .001). GI events among patients with IBD included grade 3 or 4 diarrhea in 21 patients (21%). Four patients experienced colonic perforation, 2 of whom required surgery. No GI adverse event–related deaths were recorded. Anti–cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 therapy was associated with increased risk of GI adverse events on univariable but not multivariable analysis (odds ratio, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.8 to 9.48; P = .037; and odds ratio, 4.72; 95% CI, 0.95 to 23.53; P = .058, respectively). CONCLUSION Preexisting IBD increases the risk of severe GI adverse events in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.


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