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Abstract Details

Nivolumab-induced myasthenia gravis with myositis in patients with genitourinary cancer
Autoimmune Neurology
P4 - Poster Session 4 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)
15-005

Reporting one case of nivolumab-induced myasthenia gravis with myositis in patients with genitourinary cancer

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Many cancer cells escaping from T cells attacking by making PD-L1. Nivolumab blocks PD-L1 from binding to PD-1, allowing the T cell to work. Nivolumab can cause severe immune related adverse effects including myasthenia gravis/myositis.

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An 83 year old gentle man with history of recurrent urothelial cancer was treated with Nivolumab and NKTR every three weeks. After second cycle, he developed hoarseness, difficulty speaking, swallowing, generalized weakness, poor appetite. The patient was admitted to the hospital. Lab showed CK 4000 U/L, aldolase 55.6 U/L, acetylcholine receptor binding antibody 0.16 nmol/L, acetylcholine modulating antibody 45%, striate muscle Ab positive at 1:30720. EMG/NCV suggested generalized myopathy with irritable features suggestive of inflammatory/reactive process.  Muscle biopsy showed skeletal muscle and fibroconnective tissue with focal perimysial chronic inflammatory cell infiltrate.  Chest CT did not show any thymoma. Other autoimmune and paraneoplastic panel were unremarkable. Nivolumab related MG and myositis were diagnosed. Patient was started on methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis at the admission. However, he required intubation due to respiratory failure. He failed spontaneous breathing trials multiple times and required tracheostomy placement.  Patient was also treated with pyridostigmine, cellcept, rituximab and tacolimus. He had received plasmapheresis and IVIG. Patient was finally discharged home hospice with tracheostomy.

 

The case demonstrated that nivolumab immune checkpoint inhibitor caused myasthenia gravis and myositis are very disable, rapid and fatal. Blocking the PD-1 receptor by nivolumab enhance the antitumor activity of T cells, but at the same time could cause severe immune related adverse effects by reducing self-tolerance, increasing autoimmunity. Early recognition of this severe immune related adverse effects is crucial.  Nivolumab related MG and myositis should be highly suspected in patients who develops generalized weakness with bulbar symptoms. 


Authors/Disclosures
Ruiqing Sun, MD, PhD (UTMB health)
PRESENTER
Dr. Sun has nothing to disclose.
Varun B. Shah, MD (The Permanente Medical Group) Dr. Shah has nothing to disclose.
Sudhakar Tummala, MD, FAAN (MD Anderson Cancer Center) Dr. Tummala has nothing to disclose.
Merry Chen, MD (MD Anderson Cancer Center) Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose.