Nivolumab-Induced Pneumonitis in Patient With Metastatic Melanoma Showing Complete Remission on 18F-FDG PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2019 Oct;44(10):806-807. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000002707.

Abstract

A 49-year-old patient with metastatic melanoma was treated with nivolumab (Opdivo). An early F-FDG PET/CT after 2 cycles showed a progressive metabolic disease. A 4-month optimal follow-up F-FDG PET/CT showed a complete metabolic response. The treatment was stopped after 22 cycles because of immunotherapy-related pneumonitis. After discontinuation of treatment, PET/CT examinations demonstrated a metabolic complete remission during 2 years. The metabolic pattern on early PET was suggestive of pseudoprogression, which is a rare phenomenon reflecting an activation of inflammatory cells within the tumor microenvironment causing lesions to increase in size and to accumulate FDG until a sufficient immune response is developed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / immunology
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects*
  • Nivolumab / therapeutic use
  • Pneumonia / chemically induced*
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Nivolumab