Sudden hearing loss in a melanoma patient on pembrolizumab: an etiology not to be omitted in the differential diagnosis

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a promising therapeutic option for metastatic cancers. However, they have been associated with inflammatory adverse reactions in various organ systems. A recent article reported a case of sudden bilateral hearing loss that occurred in a patient with metastatic melanoma being treated with pembrolizumab. The authors attributed that complication to an autoimmune reaction secondary to the treatment. This commentary discusses the importance of considering the diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis in patients with metastatic melanoma who present with new cranial nerve deficits.

Keywords: Hearing loss; Immune checkpoint inhibitor; Leptomeningeal metastasis; Melanoma; Pembrolizumab.