Neurological immune-related adverse events of ipilimumab

Pract Neurol. 2013 Aug;13(4):278-80. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2012-000447. Epub 2013 Mar 13.

Abstract

Ipilimumab enhances the T lymphocyte mediated immune response to both tumour cells and healthy tissue, improving survival in patients with metastatic melanoma but also leads to more immune-related adverse events (irAEs) than previously used treatments, such as dacarbazine. We present three patients with neurological irAEs from ipilimumab treatment: hypophysitis, meningitis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Once an irAE occurs, ipilimumab should be stopped and corticosteroids started. Usually, ipilimumab-induced irAE symptoms improve within days to weeks, but can be life-threatening if unrecognised.

Keywords: NEUROONCOLOGY; NEUROPHARMACOLOGY.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / therapeutic use*
  • Ipilimumab
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Ipilimumab