Martha Nowosielski1, Franziska Di Pauli2, Sarah Iglseder1, Michaela Wagner1, Nicole Hoellweger1, Van Anh Nguyen1, Johann Gruber1, Günther Stockhammer1. 1. From the Department of Neurology (M.N., F.D.P., S.I., G.S.); Department of Dermatology and Venerology (N.H., V.A.N.); Department of Radiology (M.W.); and Department of Internal Medicine (J.G.), Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. 2. From the Department of Neurology (M.N., F.D.P., S.I., G.S.); Department of Dermatology and Venerology (N.H., V.A.N.); Department of Radiology (M.W.); and Department of Internal Medicine (J.G.), Medical University Innsbruck, Austria. franziska.dipauli@i-med.ac.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Immunotherapy 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. METHODS: We 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. RESULTS: The 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. CONCLUSIONS: The 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.
OBJECTIVE: Immunotherapy 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. METHODS: We 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. RESULTS: The 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. CONCLUSIONS: The 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.
Authors: Saskia Bolz; Thivyah Ramakrishnan; Michael Fleischer; Elisabeth Livingstone; Benjamin Stolte; Andreas Thimm; Kathrin Kizina; Selma Ugurel; Christoph Kleinschnitz; Martin Glas; Lisa Zimmer; Tim Hagenacker Journal: eNeurologicalSci Date: 2021-02-01