Background/aim: There are few reports about the administration of nivolumab plus ipilimumab to hemodialysis patients and their efficacy and safety have not been established yet.
Case report: A 74-year-old male, who was receiving hemodialysis, was presented with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Two years later, more metastases were found, hence, immunotherapy involving nivolumab plus ipilimumab was initiated. After two doses of immunotherapy, interstitial pneumonia was observed. Thus, steroid pulse therapy was administered immediately. Subsequently, computed tomography (CT) findings and symptoms improved markedly. One month later, a CT scan showed a nodular shadow and an air cavity. A fungal infection was strongly suspected, so an antifungal drug was administered.
Conclusion: Combination immunotherapy with nivolumab plus ipilimumab was demonstrated to be effective in a hemodialysis patient with mRCC.
Keywords: Fungal pneumonia; hemodialysis; immunotherapy; metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
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