A Rare Case of Overlapping Durvalumab-induced Myositis, Takotsubo-like Morphological Changes Caused by Myocarditis, and Myasthenia Gravis

Intern Med. 2024 Dec 1;63(23):3209-3215. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.3028-23. Epub 2024 Apr 23.

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors can cause a range of immune-related adverse events, including myositis, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, and myasthenia gravis. We herein report a rare case of a 78-year-old man with concurrent durvalumab-induced myositis, Takotsubo-like morphological changes caused by myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis. The patient initially required invasive ventilation and exhibited symptoms of myasthenia gravis after treatment with high-dose steroids. However, he subsequently achieved successful recovery after the administration of intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis, and high-dose steroids. We advocate vigilant neurological monitoring of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myositis, including the assessment of ptosis and other relevant signs, so that prompt treatment can be initiated at the time of emergence or progression of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myasthenia gravis.

Keywords: ICI-induced myasthenia gravis; Takotsubo cardiomyopathy; immune checkpoint inhibitors; immune-related adverse events; intravenous immunoglobulin; plasmapheresis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Myasthenia Gravis* / chemically induced
  • Myocarditis* / chemically induced
  • Myositis* / chemically induced
  • Myositis* / diagnosis
  • Plasmapheresis
  • Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy* / chemically induced

Substances

  • durvalumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunoglobulins, Intravenous
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors