Alexandra Duplaine1, Camille Prot1, Gwendal Le-Masson2, Antoine Soulages2, Fanny Duval2, Caroline Dutriaux1,3, Sorilla Prey4,5. 1. Service de Dermatologie, CHU de Bordeaux, Groupe Hospitalier Saint André, 1, rue Jean Burguet, 33000, Bordeaux, France. 2. Service de Neurologie, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000, Bordeaux, France. 3. University of Bordeaux, Inserm U-1035, 33000, Bordeaux, France. 4. Service de Dermatologie, CHU de Bordeaux, Groupe Hospitalier Saint André, 1, rue Jean Burguet, 33000, Bordeaux, France. sorilla.prey@chu-bordeaux.fr. 5. University of Bordeaux, Inserm U-1035, 33000, Bordeaux, France. sorilla.prey@chu-bordeaux.fr.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Myasthenia gravis (MG) Lambert-Eaton (LE) overlap syndrome is a rare condition. Here, we describe the first case of MG-LE overlap syndrome revealed by the anti-programmed cell death 1 inhibitor, nivolumab, in a patient treated for metastatic melanoma. CASE: Three months after receiving nivolumab and 1 month after brain metastasis radiotherapy, our patient developed generalized fatigue with intermittent ptosis and swallowing difficulty suggesting a myasthenic syndrome. Electromyogram findings, anti-acetylcholine receptor, and anti-calcium channel antibodies levels were consistent with an immune-related myasthenic syndrome with specific features for both MG and LE syndromes. Immunotherapy with nivolumab was stopped. Patient was treated with systemic immunosuppressive and anti-cholinesterase drugs, with remarkable improvement of his neurological symptoms. Prolonged partial remission was obtained for his metastatic melanoma without need for a third-line treatment. Two years later, a relapse of hismyasthenic symptoms was observed along with new neurological symptoms related to brain radiation necrosis. CONCLUSION: We describe the first case of MG-LE overlap syndrome diagnosed after anti-PD1 immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, which appeared after radiation therapy and then relapsed after brain radiation necrosis. We hypothesized a role for brain inflammation as a trigger for MG-LE onset. Neuro-muscular junctions disease induced or revealed by checkpoint inhibitors can be challenging and requires long-term follow-up.
INTRODUCTION: Myasthenia gravis (MG) Lambert-Eaton (LE) overlap syndrome is a rare condition. Here, we describe the first case of MG-LE overlap syndrome revealed by the anti-programmed cell death 1 inhibitor, nivolumab, in a patient treated for metastatic melanoma. CASE: Three months after receiving nivolumab and 1 month after brain metastasis radiotherapy, our patient developed generalized fatigue with intermittent ptosis and swallowing difficulty suggesting a myasthenic syndrome. Electromyogram findings, anti-acetylcholine receptor, and anti-calcium channel antibodies levels were consistent with an immune-related myasthenic syndrome with specific features for both MG and LE syndromes. Immunotherapy with nivolumab was stopped. Patient was treated with systemic immunosuppressive and anti-cholinesterase drugs, with remarkable improvement of his neurological symptoms. Prolonged partial remission was obtained for his metastatic melanoma without need for a third-line treatment. Two years later, a relapse of hismyasthenic symptoms was observed along with new neurological symptoms related to brain radiation necrosis. CONCLUSION: We describe the first case of MG-LE overlap syndrome diagnosed after anti-PD1 immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma, which appeared after radiation therapy and then relapsed after brain radiation necrosis. We hypothesized a role for brain inflammation as a trigger for MG-LE onset. Neuro-muscular junctions disease induced or revealed by checkpoint inhibitors can be challenging and requires long-term follow-up.
Authors: Annette Johansen; Søren Just Christensen; David Scheie; Joan L S Højgaard; Daniel Kondziella Journal: Neurology Date: 2019-03-08 Impact factor: 9.910