Sarcoidosis-like reactions in cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: experience in a Spanish hospital

Sarcoidosis-like reactions in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients treated with immune-based combinations

Aim: The incidence of drug-induced sarcoidosis-like reactions (DISR) in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is rising. We determine the incidence and characteristics of DISR in a metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) population. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinico-radiological data of 83 mRCC patients treated at a single institution with immune-based combinations. Results: 15 patients received immune-doublet (ipilimumab-nivolumab), while 68 patients received other immune-based combinations. Two cases of DISR (2.4%) were evidenced, with enlargement of mediastinal lymph nodes that mimicked disease progression, thus requiring a biopsy which showed histological features of DISR. Conclusion: In our series of the incidence of DISR, radiological and clinical features, are in line with literature. DISR diagnosis is often only radiological, and its occurrence is possibly associated with a better outcome.

Immune-Related Uncommon Adverse Events in Patients with Cancer Treated with Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has dramatically changed the therapeutic landscape of oncology, and has become standard of care in multiple cancer types in front or late lines of therapy, with some longstanding responses and outstanding results. Notwithstanding, its use has brought a totally unique spectrum of adverse events, characterized by a myriad of diverse manifestations affecting nearly every organ and system of the body, including the endocrine, nervous, cardiac, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Uncommon adverse events, defined as those occurring in less than 1% of patients, comprise an even more heterogeneous group of diseases that are being seen more recurrently as the use of immune check-point inhibitors increases and indications spread in different tumor types and stages. Here, we comprehensively review some uncommon, but exceedingly important, immune-related adverse events, with special emphasis in the clinical approach and diagnostic workup, aiming to reunite the evidence published previously, allowing an increase in awareness and knowledge from all specialists implicated in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of cancer patients treated with immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy-induced granulomatous reaction in patients with melanoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a new era in stage IV melanoma treatment. These agents are generally well tolerated but have specific side effects. The granulomatous reaction is one of such ICI-related adverse events. In this report, we present the cases of three patients with stage IV melanoma who all developed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy during ICI treatment. While a complete response was observed in one patient, near complete responses were observed in the other two patients. Amid these favorable outcomes, all patients developed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy approximately 6 months after the initiation of immunotherapy. Biopsies were performed to explore the underlying pathology of the lymph nodes, which revealed granulomatous reactions rather than metastases. Hence, immunotherapy was continued in all patients. The development of granulomatous lymphadenitis associated with ICIs may mimic disease recurrence/progression clinically and radiographically. Awareness of such type of adverse event is crucial to decide whether to continue therapy or not.

The Meaning of Lymphadenopathies During Adjuvant Durvalumab After Chemoradiotherapy for Lung Cancer: Thinking Beyond Disease Progression

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become the mainstay of treatment for many malignancies. With this new strategy, relevant immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have been reported, some of which can be mistaken for disease progression. To better illustrate the current challenges in diagnosing and managing a patient under adjuvant ICI treatment, we present the case of a 67-year-old female patient with stage IIIB unresectable, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated, non-small-cell lung cancer who was initially treated with chemoradiotherapy, followed by immunotherapy with durvalumab. During the course of immunotherapy, the patient presented with madarosis and erythematous and endured skin lesions, in addition to lymphadenopathies and pulmonary infiltrates. She was started on first-line palliative treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. After reviewing the case, a multidisciplinary team meeting suggested diagnostic procedures, including a transbronchial needle aspiration from mediastinal lymph nodes. The histologic examination showed chronic systemic inflammation and non-caseating granulomas of the sarcoid type. In this case, palliative treatment was suspended and systemic therapy with prednisolone was initiated. The patient became asymptomatic and the previously observed radiologic abnormalities resolved. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and appropriate treatment of irAEs, mainly because these conditions remain poorly understood and are probably underdiagnosed. Considering differential diagnosis is paramount to guide clinical management, despite curative or palliative treatment intent.

Development of thoracic sarcoid reactions associated with complete response to anti-PD-1 therapy in a patient with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

In patients with advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), positive efficacy data were reported for anti-PD-1 antibodies. However, anti-PD-1 treatment is associated with a wide range of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Here, we report on a 78-year-old woman with a huge cSCC on the right cheek spanning from the temporal to the cervical region with evidence for infiltration of the parotid gland, right masseter muscle and right auditory canal. Ultrasound revealed cervical, submandibular and supraclavicular lymph node metastases on patient's right side. On the basis of a medical hardship application, treatment with pembrolizumab was initiated. After two applications, a dramatic regression of the tumour was observed. At this point, the patient was switched to cemiplimab, which, in the meantime, had become available in Germany. After 3 months on cemiplimab, the tumour-related ulcer on the right cheek showed almost complete regression and all previously affected lymph nodes displayed no evidence for malignancy. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans revealed enlarged mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymph nodes assessed as primarily reactive. Three months later, however, mediastinal and bilateral hilar lymph nodes further increased in size, accompanied by radiological alterations of the lung parenchyma. Lymph node biopsies revealed sarcoid reactions (SRs) including fibrotic non-caseating epitheloid cell granulomas surrounded by lymphocytes. Since the patient did not display any clinical symptoms, cemiplimab treatment was continued following a 4-week break. Three months later, CT showed significant regression of the described enlarged lymph nodes and parenchymal lung changes. Twenty months after anti-PD-1 treatment, the patient was still in complete remission. In conclusion, we describe, for the first time, the case of a patient with advanced cSCC who developed disseminated thoracic SRs which were associated with dramatic regression of tumour masses. Thus, as with other irAEs, development of SRs might be indicative of an anti-tumour response to anti-PD-1 therapy.

Review BRAF inhibition and the spectrum of granulomatous reactions

BRAF-inhibitors have emerged as a promising targeted therapy for malignancies with BRAF mutations, particularly metastatic melanoma. However, granulomatous reactions including sarcoidosis and sarcoid-like-reactions have been reported as a consequence of BRAF-inhibition. It is important to adequately characterise these granulomatous reactions including cutaneous manifestations and systemic involvement, in order to guide investigations and management. A literature review was conducted to characterise the spectrum of granulomatous reactions associated with BRAF-inhibitors - identifying 55 reactions affecting 51 patients, with 37 reactions limited to cutaneous involvement. Further, possible correlation with cancer response, mechanisms of granuloma formation, as well as a proposed workup and management approach for these granulomatous reactions are presented.