Pembrolizumab-Associated Bullous Pemphigoid with Laryngeal Involvement

Laryngoscope. 2025 Jan;135(1):243-246. doi: 10.1002/lary.31743. Epub 2024 Sep 3.

Abstract

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody with increasing use in many malignancies. We describe a case of pembrolizumab-associated bullous pemphigoid (BP) with laryngeal involvement in a 69-year-old male patient. Diagnosis was made after 2 months of symptoms via biopsy of concurrent, easily accessible cutaneous lesions. Pembrolizumab was discontinued and the patient was started on steroids and dupilumab with ultimate resolution of his cutaneous and laryngeal lesions while on immunosuppression. This case report describes the third case of pembrolizumab-associated laryngeal pemphigoid to increase awareness of this rare immune-related adverse effect. Laryngoscope, 135:243-246, 2025.

Keywords: Pembrolizumab; bullous pemphigoid; immunotherapy; larynx.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized* / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Laryngeal Diseases / pathology
  • Male
  • Pemphigoid, Bullous* / chemically induced
  • Pemphigoid, Bullous* / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • pembrolizumab
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • dupilumab