Case Report: A Variety of Immune-Related Adverse Events Triggered by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in a Subject With Malignant Melanoma: Destructive Thyroiditis, Aseptic Meningitis and Isolated ACTH Deficiency

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Oct 12:12:722586. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.722586. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been drawing much attention as cancer immunotherapy, but it has been shown that various immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors in various organs, which has become one of the serious issues at present. A 58-year-old Japanese male with malignant melanoma was treated with nivolumab and/or ipilimumab. During the period of treatment, he suffered from various irAEs. Firstly, about 1 month after starting nivolumab monotherapy, destructive thyroiditis was induced, and so we started replacement therapy with levothyroxine. Secondly, about 1 month after starting nivolumab and ipilimumab combination therapy, aseptic meningitis was induced. We stopped both drugs and started steroid therapy with prednisolone. Finally, about 9 months after restarting nivolumab, isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency was induced, and so we started replacement therapy with hydrocortisone. Taken together, we should bear in mind the possibility of a variety of irAEs when we use immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Keywords: aseptic meningitis; destructive thyroiditis; immune checkpoint inhibitor; immune-related adverse event; isolated ACTH deficiency.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / deficiency*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Atrophy / chemically induced
  • Endocrine System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Endocrine System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / chemically induced*
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemia / chemically induced*
  • Hypoglycemia / diagnosis
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Ipilimumab / administration & dosage
  • Ipilimumab / adverse effects
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma, Cutaneous Malignant
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / chemically induced*
  • Meningitis, Aseptic / diagnosis
  • Middle Aged
  • Nivolumab / administration & dosage
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Thyroid Gland / drug effects
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Thyroiditis / chemically induced*
  • Thyroiditis / diagnosis
  • Thyroiditis / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Ipilimumab
  • Nivolumab
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Supplementary concepts

  • ACTH Deficiency, Isolated