Skin Deep: A Fascinating Case Report of Immunotherapy-Triggered, Treatment-Refractory Autoimmune Lichen Planus and Keratoacanthoma

This case discusses a 62-year-old woman with de novo metastatic lung adenocarcinoma (PD-L1 >50% with a KRAS G12C mutation, ALK and EGFR negative) who was on pembrolizumab for 1 year without any significant toxicity, only low-grade dermatitis and hypothyroidism. She was transitioned to pembrolizumab every 6 weeks at 4 mg/kg and began to develop oral sores shortly thereafter. The sores proved refractory to nystatin and mouth rinses containing corticosteroids, and the patient was ultimately diagnosed with autoimmune-triggered lichen planus. Unfortunately, her symptoms also proved refractory to typical treatments for lichen planus and worsened to the point where she began to develop cutaneous lesions and difficulty swallowing. Unfortunately, she also developed a keratoacanthoma that required excision. The pembrolizumab was stopped, and the patient’s symptoms improved with 5 days of systemic prednisone, metronidazole, and triamcinolone oral paste. Her NSCLC remains stable off active treatment for 6 months. This case study is on rare auto-immune toxicity as well as a keratoacanthoma from anti-PD-(L) 1 blockade, accompanied by sustained treatment response after cessation of the offending drug.

PSMA targeted armored chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells in patients with advanced mCRPC: A phase I experience.

2534 Background: CART-PSMA-TGFβRDN cells are autologous T cells engineered via lentiviral transduction to express a dominant negative form of TGFβRII (TGFβRDN) and a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) with specificity to prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). The TGFβRDN renders CAR T cells resistant to TGFβ-mediated immunosuppression. CART-PSMA-02 is a multi-center, open-label, Phase 1 study evaluating the safety and feasibility of dosing patients with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with CART-PSMA-TGFβRDN (NCT04227275). Methods: This is a 3+3 dose escalation study to determine the recommended phase 2 dose and schedule of CART-PSMA-TGFβRDN cells following lymphodepleting chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine. Single and fractionated doses are being evaluated. A cohort expansion will enroll patients to further explore the safety of the selected dose and schedule. Results: As of January 2021, 6 patients (pts) have been treated. Two pts were treated in the first dose level (1-3 x107 transduced T cells (TDN)). Four pts were treated in the second dose level (1-3 x 108 TDN with fractionated dosing). AEs occurring in ≥50 % of pts included cytokine release syndrome (CRS), anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased creatinine, nausea, fatigue, pyrexia and dehydration. No DLTs occurred in the 1st dose level. Four pts in the 2nd dose level developed CRS (3 Gr 1 and 1 Gr 2). One pt developed rapid G2 CRS that progressed to Gr 5 encephalopathy and Gr 5 multi-organ failure. Ferritin levels peaked at 56,974 ng/ml (baseline 2,903 ng/mL) despite aggressive immunosuppressive therapy including tocilizumab, dexamtheasone and anakinra. The post infusion cytokine profile indicated elevations in IL-1RA, TNF-alpha, VEGF, IL-10, MIP-1b, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF and notably lower levels of IL6 compared to published reports of CD19 CART-mediated CRS. Autopsy findings were consistent with HLH/MAS, confirming overactivity of the monocyte/macrophage compartment. Based on these observations, a modified immune toxicity management strategy that includes prophylactic anakinra (an IL1R antagonist) was instituted. Preliminary evidence of clinical activity of CART-PSMA-TGFβRDN was noted in the 2nd dose level. Two of 3 pts with 1 month follow-up demonstrated PSA decreases from baseline (1 with >95% decrease, 1 with >50% decrease). Both pts had stable disease per RECIST v1.1. A third pt with only 1 week follow-up had a 40% PSA decrease. Additional data analyses from all infused patients are ongoing and data from pts managed with modified immune toxicity management will be presented. Conclusions: Initial data indicates a unique immune toxicity profile and the potential for anti-tumor activity in mCRPC pts treated with CART-PSMA-TGFβRDN. Modified immune toxicity management could lead to identification of a manageable safety profile and therapeutically active dose. Clinical trial information: NCT04227275.

Modulation of Innate Immune Toxicity by Silver Nanoparticle Exposure and the Preventive Effects of Pterostilbene

Silver nanoparticles pose a potential risk to ecosystems and living organisms due to their widespread use in various fields and subsequent gradual release into the environment. Only a few studies have investigated the effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) toxicity on immunological functions. Furthermore, these toxic effects have not been fully explored. Recent studies have indicated that zebrafish are considered a good alternative model for testing toxicity and for evaluating immunological toxicity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity effects of AgNPs on innate immunity using a zebrafish model and to investigate whether the natural compound pterostilbene (PTE) could provide protection against AgNPs-induced immunotoxicity. Wild type and neutrophil- and macrophage-transgenic zebrafish lines were used in the experiments. The results indicated that the exposure to AgNPs induced toxic effects including death, malformation and the innate immune toxicity of zebrafish. In addition, AgNPs affect the number and function of neutrophils and macrophages. The expression of immune-related cytokines and chemokines was also affected. Notably, the addition of PTE could activate immune cells and promote their accumulation in injured areas in zebrafish, thereby reducing the damage caused by AgNPs. In conclusion, AgNPs may induce innate immune toxicity and PTE could ameliorate this toxicity.

Immune manifestations with checkpoint inhibitors in a single Brazilian center: experience and literature review

Objectives: The presence of autoimmune events were recorded in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. Materials & Methods: Retrospective study in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) during the period of 2012–2019. Results: A total of 554 patients received ICIs of which 123 developed an immune related adverse event. Twenty one (17%) with toxicity were identified as having a pre-existing autoimmune disease and 88 required treatment with corticosteroids or hormone replacement. Thirty two (26%) out of 123 had to temporarily discontinue ICIs due to autoimmune manifestations. Endocrine and skin manifestations were the most prevalent immune disorders in our cohort. In melanoma better efficacy was seen in patients with immune toxicity. Conclusion: Autoimmune diseases appear in patients receiving ICIs in this real world experience. Our results differ from other series on the frequency of autoimmunity. Complete discontinuation of ICIs due to autoimmunity was rare.