Clinical Response of Primary Malignant Pericardial Mesothelioma with Peritoneal Dissemination to Nivolumab

Intern Med. 2024 Feb 15;63(4):513-519. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1707-23. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Abstract

Malignant pericardial mesothelioma (MPM) is extremely rare, and peritoneal dissemination has not yet been reported. There is no consensus regarding appropriate pharmacological treatment for MPM, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We herein report a 36-year-old man with MPM diagnosed by peritoneal dissemination and treated with an ICI. Cytology of the ascites revealed malignant peritonitis, and a re-evaluation of a pericardial biopsy performed at the previous hospital led to a diagnosis of MPM. The patient was treated with nivolumab and showed a clinical response despite several complications, such as renal dysfunction and performance status deterioration. This case report provides suggestive information for the diagnosis and ICI therapy of a rare type of mesothelioma.

Keywords: malignant pericardial mesothelioma; nivolumab; peritoneal dissemination; rare tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Ascites / drug therapy
  • Biopsy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mesothelioma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Mesothelioma* / drug therapy
  • Mesothelioma, Malignant* / complications
  • Nivolumab / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Nivolumab