[A Case of Metachronous Occurrence of Interstitial Pneumonitis and Hypophysitis Following Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma]

Hinyokika Kiyo. 2021 Jun;67(6):239-243. doi: 10.14989/ActaUrolJap_67_6_239.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 71-year-old man presented with neck pain. He was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma of the left kidney with lung and bone metastases. After laparoscopic left nephrectomy, nivolumab plus ipilimumab was introduced as a first-line therapy for intermediate risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma based on the IMDC risk classification. After four cycles of nivolumab plus ipilimumab, he experienced dyspnea and was diagnosed with interstitial pneumonitis. Corticosteroid therapy was initiated, after which the symptoms of interstitial pneumonitis subsided. Corticosteroid therapy was tapered and discontinued after two months of treatment. The patient experienced fatigue at one week after the discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy and was diagnosed with isolated ACTH deficiency due to hypophysitis. He recovered after hydrocortisone treatment. This case involved two different immune-related adverse events (irAE), interstitial pneumonitis and hypophysitis, that occurred asynchronously following nivolumab plus ipilimumab therapy. It is important to observe the patient's condition carefully whether additional irAEs arise when corticosteroid therapy is tapered or discontinued.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypophysitis*
  • Ipilimumab / adverse effects
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial* / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects

Substances

  • Ipilimumab
  • Nivolumab