Severe Acute Kidney Injury Due to Nivolumab/Ipilimumab-induced Granulomatosis and Fibrinoid Vascular Necrosis

J Immunother. 2020 Jan;43(1):29-31. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000296.

Abstract

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of cancers in recent years. Four drugs have obtained FDA approval in a variety of cancer types. Immune-related adverse events are common and occur in up to 60% of treated patients. Common manifestations of immune-related adverse events include rash, colitis, hepatitis, and hypophysitis. Most cases are mild to moderate in grade; however, severe manifestations with lethal outcomes have been described. Acute kidney injury is reported as a rare complication. In this case report, we present a patient with metastatic melanoma undergoing combined immune-checkpoint inhibitor therapy and displaying multiple immune-related adverse events. Despite receiving systemic steroid therapy for extrarenal immune-related adverse events, the patient developed acute progressive kidney injury requiring renal replacement therapy. Findings on renal biopsy included granulomatous interstitial nephritis, vasculitis, and thrombotic microangiopathy-like lesions. This case indicates that, although severe acute kidney injury is a rare complication of immune-checkpoint inhibitors, fulminant cases do occur and can be resistant to therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / metabolism
  • Acute Kidney Injury / pathology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ipilimumab / administration & dosage
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Nivolumab / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Ipilimumab
  • Nivolumab