scholarly journals Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes and Beyond Emerging With the Introduction of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Cancer Immunotherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristina Valencia-Sanchez ◽  
Anastasia Zekeridou
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Cancer Immunotherapy ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes ◽  
Clinical Presentations

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes are more commonly seen with malignancies such as small cell lung cancer, thymoma, gynecological malignancies, and breast cancer as well as seminoma. With the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cancer immunotherapy we see an increase of autoimmune neurological complications in patients with malignancies not traditionally associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, such as melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance antitumor immune responses resulting often in immune-related adverse effects that can affect any organ, including the central and peripheral nervous system, neuromuscular junction and muscle. Neurological complications are rare; neuromuscular complications are more common than central nervous system ones but multifocal neurological presentations are often encountered. The vast majority of neurological complications appear within 3 months of ICI initiation, but have been described even after ICI cessation. Neural autoantibody testing reveals autoantibodies in approximately half of the patients with CNS complications. Early suspicion and diagnosis is critical to avoid worsening and improve outcomes. Therapeutic strategies depend on the severity of the symptoms and initially typically involve discontinuation of ICI and high dose steroids. Further immunosuppression might be necessary. Outcomes are dependent on patient's characteristics and clinical presentations.

scholarly journals Encephalomyeloneuritis and arthritis after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. e773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Nowosielski ◽  
Franziska Di Pauli ◽  
Sarah Iglseder ◽  
Michaela Wagner ◽  
Nicole Hoellweger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Treatment ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
High Dose ◽  
First Choice

ObjectiveImmunotherapy revolutionized melanoma treatment; however, immune-related adverse events, especially neurotoxicity, may be severe and require early and correct diagnosis as well as early treatment commencement.MethodsWe report an unusual severe multiorgan manifestation of neurotoxicity after treatment with the anti-PDL1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, nivolumab, and the anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 immune checkpoint inhibitor, ipilimumab, in a 47-year-old male patient with metastatic melanoma.ResultsThe patient developed immune-mediated synovitis and cranial neuritis, followed by longitudinal transverse myelitis, encephalitis, and optic neuritis. Early treatment with high-dose steroids and maintenance therapy with rituximab resulted in a favorable neurologic outcome.ConclusionsThe frequency of spinal cord involvement and neuronal toxicity after cancer immunotherapy is very low and requires an extensive diagnostic workup to differentiate between disease progression and side effects. Immune checkpoint inhibitors should be discontinued and treatment with corticosteroids should be initiated early as the drug of first choice. Therapy may be escalated by other immune-modulating treatments, such as rituximab.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-mediated myasthenia gravis with focal subclinical myocarditis progressing to symptomatic cardiac disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. e232920 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip John Leaver ◽  
Helena Sung-In Jang ◽  
Stephen Thomas Vernon ◽  
Suran Loshana Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Myasthenia Gravis ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Fatal Complication ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Organ Specific ◽  
Delayed Recognition

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer therapy has heralded increasing frequency of immune-related adverse events including endocrinopathies, hepatitis, colitis and rarely myocarditis and myasthenia gravis (MG). The heterogeneity in clinical presentations regardless of organ-specific involvement can lead to delayed recognition and management of these events and adverse health outcomes. We describe a case of ICI-induced subclinical focal myocarditis that was recognised and treated in the broader context of MG. It is essential that patients with ICI-induced MG should be screened and monitored for myocarditis, a potentially fatal complication.

scholarly journals Neurotoxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiyi Zhao ◽  
Chunlin Zhang ◽  
Lian Zhou ◽  
Pan Dong ◽  
Lei Shi
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathies ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy ◽  
Promising Treatment

: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have recently been used as a promising treatment for cancer while their toxicity and immune-related side effects can involve in any organ, including the nervous system. In contrast to other immune-related adverse events (irAEs), neurological irAEs (nAEs) are rare, with varying incidence and symptoms complexity. Although nAEs are uncommon, they can sometimes be severe and even lead to death. However, little attention has been paid to nAEs and the literatures are mostly clinical reports with only a few cases. We therefore conducted the present review with the aim of providing a comprehensive introduction of nAEs. In this review, we summarized various nAEs, including meningitis, encephalitis and hypophysitis in the central nervous system, and myositis, myasthenia gravis and peripheral neuropathies in the peripheral system. We also reviewed the current diagnosis and treatment methods for nAEs commonly used in clinical practice. In addition, we discussed about potential mechanisms regarding nAEs and proposed the possible approaches to preventing the risk of nAEs in patients treated with ICIs. There's still a lot to learn, such as whether and why patients with nAEs respond better to ICI-therapy. The mechanisms and significance of nAEs need to be fully clarified to address these issues and to optimize the treatment strategy.

scholarly journals Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes: clinical presentations and management

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642098532
Author(s):  
Michelle F. Devine ◽  
Naga Kothapalli ◽  
Mahmoud Elkhooly ◽  
Divyanshu Dubey
Keyword(s):  
Patient Outcomes ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome ◽  
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes ◽  
Onconeural Antibodies ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Paraneoplastic Neurological Disorders

We provide an overview of the varied presentations of paraneoplastic neurological syndromes. We also review the onconeural antibodies and their particular oncological and neurological associations. Recognition of these syndromes and their oncological associations is crucial, as early diagnosis and management has been associated with better patient outcomes. Specific management strategies and prognosis vary widely depending on the underlying etiology. An understanding of the relevant clinical details, imaging findings, and other diagnostic information can help tailor treatment approaches. We provide an outline of the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of various paraneoplastic neurological disorders, presenting with central and/or peripheral nervous system involvement. We briefly discuss neurologic immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events, which can occasionally present with paraneoplastic neurological syndrome phenotypes.

The emerging use of immune checkpoint blockade in the adjuvant setting for solid tumors: a review

Immunotherapy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (16) ◽  
pp. 1409-1422 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elissar Moujaess ◽  
Fady Gh Haddad ◽  
Roland Eid ◽  
Hampig Raphael Kourie
Keyword(s):  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Blockade ◽  
Adjuvant Setting ◽  
Lung Cancers ◽  
Metastatic Setting ◽  
Postoperative Setting

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has been approved in the advanced and metastatic setting for many types of solid tumors. Nonetheless, their role in the adjuvant setting is limited to the treatment of surgically resected melanoma. Ipilimumab was the first immune checkpoint inhibitor approved for this indication, followed by nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Many ongoing trials are evaluating these molecules in the postoperative setting, alone or in combination with other therapies. Preliminary results are promising regarding the treatment of other cutaneous tumors, lung cancers, head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, bladder cancer and renal cell carcinomas. Some data assessing their use for the adjuvant treatment of esophageal, colorectal, ovarian cancer and other solid tumors are similarly emerging.

scholarly journals Enterococcus peptidoglycan remodeling promotes immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Griffin ◽  
Juliel Espinosa ◽  
Jessica L. Becker ◽  
Jyoti K. Jha ◽  
Gary R. Fanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Mouse Tumor ◽  
Peptidoglycan Hydrolases ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy ◽  
Specific Species

AbstractThe antitumor efficacy of cancer immunotherapy has been correlated with specific species within the gut microbiota. However, molecular mechanisms by which these microbes affect host response to immunotherapy remain elusive. Here we show that specific members of the bacterial genus Enterococcus can promote anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy in mouse tumor models. The active enterococci express and secrete orthologs of the NlpC/p60 peptidoglycan hydrolase SagA that generate immune-active muropeptides. Expression of SagA in non-protective E. faecalis was sufficient to promote antitumor activity of clinically approved checkpoint targets, and its activity required the peptidoglycan sensor Nod2. Notably, SagA-engineered probiotics or synthetic muropeptides also promoted checkpoint inhibitor antitumor activity. Our data suggest that microbiota species with unique peptidoglycan remodeling activity may enhance immunotherapy and could be leveraged for next-generation adjuvants.One Sentence SummaryA conserved family of secreted NlpC/p60 peptidoglycan hydrolases from Enterococcus promote antitumor activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

scholarly journals Application of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382110399
Author(s):  
Fan-li Zeng ◽  
Jing-fang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
General Term ◽  
Distal Cholangiocarcinoma ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Defective Mismatch Repair

Cholangiocarcinoma is a general term for intrahepatic and extrahepatic malignant tumors deriving in the biliary system. According to the location, it is divided into intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, and distal cholangiocarcinoma. Progressive cholangiocarcinoma yields poor outcomes with radiotherapy; therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic breakthroughs. Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy brings the treatment for cancer into a new field, with the use of drugs targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 considerably extending the survival of patients with melanoma, lung cancer, and other solid tumors. The FDA has approved the application of pembrolizumab for solid tumors with high microsatellite instability and defective mismatch repair, including cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, the combination of ICIs with chemotherapy and radiation therapy showed good promise. The aim of the present study was to review the application of ICIs in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma and to summarize the reported individualized immunotherapy-based protocols and ongoing clinical trials for clinical reference.

Efficacy of immunotherapy in hepatocholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC): Proof of concept.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e16194-e16194
Author(s):  
Osama Diab ◽  
Maloree Khan ◽  
Saqib Abbasi ◽  
Anwaar Saeed ◽  
Anup Kasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Line Treatment ◽  
First Line ◽  
Liver Cancers ◽  
First Line Treatment

e16194 Background: Hepatocholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) is a rare form of cancer with a poor prognosis. Of all primary liver cancers, the incidence of HCC-CC ranges from 0.4 to 14.2%. HCC-CC is a mixed carcinoma with findings of both hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a potent first line treatment in hepatocellular carcinoma with multiple clinical trial showing effectiveness in cholangiocarcinoma. HCC-CC has limited proven treatment options as patients are generally excluded from clinical trials. In this study we reviewed outcomes of patients with HCC-CC who received immune checkpoint inhibitor in a single center. Methods: Records of patients who had a pathological confirmed HCC-CC by a subspecialized hepatic pathologist at the University of Kansas medical center were reviewed. We identified 6 patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HCC-CC that received immune checkpoint inhibitor between February 2017 and January 2021. Baseline characteristics were obtained, as well as best response, line of therapy, and duration of response. Results: Of the six patients 4 (66%) received PD-1 inhibitor alone and 2 (34%) received combination therapy with CTLA-4 inhibitor for the treatment of HCC-CC. There were 3 (50%) females and 6 (100%) with prior hepatitis C infection. four (66%) patients had metastatic disease and 2 had locally unresectable advanced disease. Objective response rate was 83.3%. One patient achieved complete response and had a treatment holiday after receiving treatment for 2 years, and restarted immunotherapy upon relapse. Four patients had a partial response, of which two passed away after disease progression. One patient had stable disease on 2 different lines of immunotherapy then progressed. Of those who responded, one patient received immunotherapy, 3 (50%) received liver directed therapy and two received chemotherapy or Lenvatinib as first line treatment (Table). Conclusions: Immune checkpoint inhibitors demonstrate potential activity in patients with HCC-CC without unexpected side effect in this unmet need high-risk population. Larger studies are needed to confirm activity and efficacy in this setting.[Table: see text]

Immune checkpoint inhibitor sensitivity of DNA repair deficient tumors

Immunotherapy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 1205-1213
Author(s):  
Pauline Rochefort ◽  
Françoise Desseigne ◽  
Valérie Bonadona ◽  
Sophie Dussart ◽  
Clélia Coutzac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Dna Repair ◽  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Excision Repair ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Repair Deficiency ◽  
Dna Repair Deficiency

Faithful DNA replication is necessary to maintain genome stability and implicates a complex network with several pathways depending on DNA damage type: homologous repair, nonhomologous end joining, base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair and mismatch repair. Alteration in components of DNA repair machinery led to DNA damage accumulation and potentially carcinogenesis. Preclinical data suggest sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors in tumors with DNA repair deficiency. Here, we review clinical studies that explored the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor in patient harboring tumor with DNA repair deficiency.

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