Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies) are a standard of care for advanced melanoma. Novel toxicities comprise immune-related adverse events (irAE). With increasing use, irAE require recognition, practical management strategies, and multidisciplinary care. We retrospecti...

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Main Authors: Anna J. Lomax, Jennifer Lim, Robert Cheng, Arianne Sweeting, Patricia Lowe, Neil McGill, Nicholas Shackel, Elizabeth L. Chua, Catriona McNeil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:Journal of Skin Cancer
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9602540
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author Anna J. Lomax
Jennifer Lim
Robert Cheng
Arianne Sweeting
Patricia Lowe
Neil McGill
Nicholas Shackel
Elizabeth L. Chua
Catriona McNeil
author_facet Anna J. Lomax
Jennifer Lim
Robert Cheng
Arianne Sweeting
Patricia Lowe
Neil McGill
Nicholas Shackel
Elizabeth L. Chua
Catriona McNeil
author_sort Anna J. Lomax
collection DOAJ
description Immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies) are a standard of care for advanced melanoma. Novel toxicities comprise immune-related adverse events (irAE). With increasing use, irAE require recognition, practical management strategies, and multidisciplinary care. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, kinetics, and management of irAE in 41 patients receiving anti-PD-1 antibody therapy (pembrolizumab) for advanced melanoma. 63% received prior anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapy (ipilimumab). IrAE occurred in 54%, most commonly dermatological (24%), rheumatological (22%), and thyroid dysfunction (12%). Thyroiditis was characterised by a brief asymptomatic hyperthyroid phase followed by a symptomatic hypothyroid phase requiring thyroxine replacement. Transplant rejection doses of methylprednisolone were necessary to manage refractory hepatotoxicity. A bullous pemphigoid-like skin reaction with refractory pruritus responded to corticosteroids and neuropathic analgesia. Disabling grade 3-4 oligoarthritis required sulfasalazine therapy in combination with steroids. The median interval between the last dose of anti-CTLA-4 antibody and the first dose of anti-PD-1 therapy was 2.0 months (range: 0.4 to 22.4). Toxicities may occur late; this requires vigilance and multidisciplinary management which may allow effective anticancer therapy to continue. Management algorithms for thyroiditis, hypophysitis, arthralgia/arthritis, colitis, steroid-refractory hepatitis, and skin toxicity are discussed.
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spelling doaj-art-6a6c7629b3c04ae4a1a5ce60b738c7792025-02-03T01:23:59ZengWileyJournal of Skin Cancer2090-29052090-29132018-01-01201810.1155/2018/96025409602540Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical ManagementAnna J. Lomax0Jennifer Lim1Robert Cheng2Arianne Sweeting3Patricia Lowe4Neil McGill5Nicholas Shackel6Elizabeth L. Chua7Catriona McNeil8Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaChris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaConcord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaSydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaSydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaSydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaCentenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaSydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaChris O’Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, AustraliaImmune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibodies) are a standard of care for advanced melanoma. Novel toxicities comprise immune-related adverse events (irAE). With increasing use, irAE require recognition, practical management strategies, and multidisciplinary care. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, kinetics, and management of irAE in 41 patients receiving anti-PD-1 antibody therapy (pembrolizumab) for advanced melanoma. 63% received prior anti-CTLA-4 antibody therapy (ipilimumab). IrAE occurred in 54%, most commonly dermatological (24%), rheumatological (22%), and thyroid dysfunction (12%). Thyroiditis was characterised by a brief asymptomatic hyperthyroid phase followed by a symptomatic hypothyroid phase requiring thyroxine replacement. Transplant rejection doses of methylprednisolone were necessary to manage refractory hepatotoxicity. A bullous pemphigoid-like skin reaction with refractory pruritus responded to corticosteroids and neuropathic analgesia. Disabling grade 3-4 oligoarthritis required sulfasalazine therapy in combination with steroids. The median interval between the last dose of anti-CTLA-4 antibody and the first dose of anti-PD-1 therapy was 2.0 months (range: 0.4 to 22.4). Toxicities may occur late; this requires vigilance and multidisciplinary management which may allow effective anticancer therapy to continue. Management algorithms for thyroiditis, hypophysitis, arthralgia/arthritis, colitis, steroid-refractory hepatitis, and skin toxicity are discussed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9602540
spellingShingle Anna J. Lomax
Jennifer Lim
Robert Cheng
Arianne Sweeting
Patricia Lowe
Neil McGill
Nicholas Shackel
Elizabeth L. Chua
Catriona McNeil
Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management
Journal of Skin Cancer
title Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management
title_full Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management
title_fullStr Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management
title_full_unstemmed Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management
title_short Immune Toxicity with Checkpoint Inhibition for Metastatic Melanoma: Case Series and Clinical Management
title_sort immune toxicity with checkpoint inhibition for metastatic melanoma case series and clinical management
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9602540
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