Development of de novo psoriasis during nivolumab therapy in a patient with small cell lung cancer

J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2020 Jan;26(1):256-258. doi: 10.1177/1078155219877234. Epub 2019 Sep 29.

Abstract

Introduction: The immune checkpoint inhibitors recently entered to small cell lung cancer (SCLC) stage, firstly in the third and recently in the first lines of therapy. This efficacy comes at the expense of many toxicities including skin toxicity. This toxicity is usually in the form of rash and pruritis; however, rare reactions like psoriasis can also be seen.

Case report: Herein, we report an SCLC case who developed de novo psoriasis while treated with nivolumab as the third-line treatment for SCLC.

Management and outcome: The psoriatic plaques were regressed with the topical highly potent steroid therapy, and immunotherapy was continued without further complications.

Discussion: We think that rare adverse events like de novo psoriasis are important considering the expanding role of these agents; their timely recognition and treatment are important in the management of cancer patients.

Keywords: Immunotherapy; nivolumab; psoriasis; small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects*
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Psoriasis / chemically induced*
  • Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
  • Nivolumab