Multifocal Tendon Ruptures during Nivolumab and Ipilimumab Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma: A Case Report

Bilateral Spontaneous Supraspinatus Tendon Rupture Under Prolonged BRAF/MEK Targeting Treatment in a Melanoma Patient

The B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF)/ mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) targeting agents have become the treatment of choice for BRAF-mutated melanoma during the last decade. However, it is possible that some long-term adverse events of these drugs have not yet been reported. A case of bilateral spontaneous, non-traumatic, supraspinatus tendon rupture in a 65-year-old Caucasian male suffering metastatic melanoma under prolonged and successful combination treatment with dabrafenib plus trametinib is presented. These damages could not be attributed to some other probable cause. The ruptured tendons were promptly restored arthroscopically. Oncologists should remain vigilant for the early detection of potential side effects of BRAF/MEK targeting agents that have not been systematically recorded yet but may appear and affect patients in the long run.