Purpose: To report a case of severe ocular rosacea following ipilimumab plus nivolumab treatment in a patient with metastatic malignant skin melanoma.
Methods: Case report and review of the literature.
Results: A 68-year-old male with newly diagnosed metastatic malignant cutaneous melanoma was treated with first-line ipilimumab plus nivolumab, which resulted in a partial response. Four months after initiation of treatment, the patient developed red eyelids and conjunctivae, with painful gritty eyes, limiting his capacity to read. Following a diagnosis of severe ocular rosacea and dry eyes, treatment including corticosteroids, antimicrobial agents, and eyelid hygiene was started, and within 3 months, the ocular complaints resolved.
Conclusion: Treatment with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma may trigger several ocular immune-related adverse events. This case describes severe ocular rosacea as an adverse event following ipilimumab plus nivolumab treatment.
Keywords: Ipilimumab; Metastatic melanoma; Nivolumab; Ocular rosacea; Toxicity.