Nivolumab-induced organizing pneumonia in a melanoma patient

Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2016 Mar;46(3):270-2. doi: 10.1093/jjco/hyv199. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Abstract

We report the case of a 70-year-old woman with vaginal melanoma and multiple metastases in the lung. After the third dose of nivolumab, decreased room-air resting arterial oxygen saturation with bilateral basal fine crackles on auscultation developed despite the absence of respiratory symptoms. Computed tomography showed ground-glass opacities with airspace consolidations scattered with a peculiar distribution, and most were observed around the existing metastatic tumors in the lung. From the 42nd day to the 56th day after the last administration of nivolumab, she received dexamethasone 1-2 mg/body for the prevention of adverse events after stereotactic radiation for brain metastasis. At 3 months after the last administration of nivolumab, a computed tomography scan revealed improvement of the pneumonia and a decreased size and number of metastatic lesions in the lung, although some lesions showed enlargement. Further examination is needed to clarify the relationship between the pattern of pneumonia after Nivo therapy and clinical effects.

Keywords: PD-1; drug induced lung disease; melanoma; nivolumab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Nivolumab
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vaginal Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Nivolumab