Can radiation-recall predict long lasting response to immune checkpoint inhibitors?

Radiation Recall Pneumonitis Anticipates Bilateral Immune-Induced Pneumonitis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Radiation recall pneumonitis (RRP) is a rare inflammatory reaction that occurs in previously irradiated fields, and it may be caused by various triggering agents. Immunotherapy has been reported to potentially be one of these triggers. However, precise mechanisms and specific treatments have not been explored yet due to a lack of data in this setting. Here, we report a case of a patient who received radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. He developed first radiation recall pneumonitis and subsequently immune-checkpoint inhibitor-induced pneumonitis (IIP). After presenting the case, we discuss the currently available literature on RRP and the challenges of differential diagnosis between RRP, IIP, and other forms of pneumonitis. We believe that this case is of particular clinical value since it highlights the importance of including RRP in a differential diagnosis of lung consolidation during immunotherapy. Furthermore, it suggests that RRP might anticipate more extensive ICI-induced pneumonitis.

Radiation Recall Dermatitis Following Treatment With Pembrolizumab: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Radiation recall dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction of the skin that may infrequently occur in areas of the skin that have been previously treated with radiation therapy. This is thought to be due to a triggering agent administered after radiation therapy which leads to an acute inflammatory reaction, manifesting as a skin rash. We present the case of a 58-year-old male with recurrent invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, previously treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, who presented with progression of his disease. He was treated with pembrolizumab and subsequently developed a new-onset facial rash over the previously treated radiation field. The distribution of the rash was suggestive of radiation recall dermatitis. A biopsy showed dermal necrosis without evidence of dermatitis, vasculitis, or infectious process. This case highlights the incidence of a rare complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and emphasizes the need for careful monitoring for radiation recall dermatitis.

Immune-related arthritis following pelvic radiation therapy in a patient with lung cancer receiving long-term immune checkpoint blocker treatment: Case report

Radiotherapy can trigger immune-related out-of-field "abscopal" response. We report a patient with advanced NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) receiving long-term anti-PD1 (programmed cell death protein 1) who have developed out-of-field immune-related arthritis following pelvic irradiation.

Radiation recall pneumonitis triggered by an immune checkpoint inhibitor following re-irradiation in a lung cancer patient: a case report

Background

Radiation recall pneumonitis (RRP) is unpredictable but associated with severe radiation damage in previously irradiated fields. Chemotherapy and targeted drugs have been reported to contribute to RRP. Here we report a case of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who developed RRP following administration of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) 18 months after the end of re-irradiation.

Case presentation

A 69-year-old man received adjuvant chemoradiotherapy post-operatively. He underwent thoracic re-irradiation for oligometastatic NSCLC. On second recurrence, pembrolizumab combined with nab-paclitaxel were administered. After six months, he developed symptoms of persistent cough and dyspnea, with consistent pneumonitis on CT images. The clinical time frame and significant radiographic evidence raised suspicion for RRP. Symptoms resolved after steroids.

Conclusions

RRP is a rare occurrence. Patients undergoing immunotherapy after prior irradiation may be at increased risk of this rare radiation pneumonitis.

The Safety of Bridging Radiation with Anti-BCMA CAR T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (CART-BCMA) are a promising treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (r/rMM). We evaluated the safety and feasibility of bridging radiation (RT) in subjects treated on a phase I trial of CART-BCMA.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Twenty-five r/rMM subjects were treated in three cohorts with two doses of CART-BCMA cells ± cyclophosphamide. We retrospectively analyzed toxicity, response, and CART manufacturing data based on RT receipt.

RESULTS

Thirteen subjects received no RT <1 year before CART infusion (Group A). Eight subjects received RT <1 year before CART infusion (Group B) with median time from RT to apheresis of 114 days (range 40-301). Four subjects received bridging-RT (Group C) with a median dose of 22 Gy and time from RT to infusion of 25 days (range 18-35). Group C had qualitatively lower rates of grade 4 (G4) hematologic toxicities (25%) versus A (61.5%) and B (62.5%). G3-4 neurotoxicity occurred in 7.7%, 25%, and 25% in Group A, B, and C, respectively. G3-4 cytokine release syndrome was observed in 38.5%, 25%, and 25% in Group A, B, and C, respectively. Partial response or better was observed in 54%, 38%, and 50% of Group A, B, and C, respectively. RT administered <1 year (P = 0.002) and <100 days (P = 0.069) before apheresis was associated with lower in vitro proliferation during manufacturing; however, in vivo CART-BCMA expansion appeared similar across groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Bridging-RT appeared safe and feasible with CART-BCMA therapy in our r/rMM patients, though larger future studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions.

Radiation Recall Dermatitis in Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report and Literature Review

Radiation recall dermatitis (RRD) is defined as a skin reaction in the previously irradiated area triggered by a systemic agent's administration. The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) alone and in combination with other treatments is increasing in many cancers. ICI-associated radiation recall reactions such as dermatitis, pneumonia, and myelitis have been reported so far. We report a case of nivolumab (anti-programmed cell death protein-1 antibody) induced RRD in a patient with head and neck cancer and review the publications reporting RRD associated with other ICI in the literature. The patient was diagnosed with neck metastasis of unknown primary origin and underwent surgery followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). During the follow-up, radiotherapy (RT) was performed to the left parotid region, right neck level 1b, and the left neck skin due to recurrence. After three months of the last RT session, she was started on nivolumab due to the metastatic disease. Four weeks later, she was represented with erythematous squamous plaque-like lesions starting from the left temporomandibular region and spreading to the anterior chest, which corresponded to the previously irradiated area. A biopsy was performed with the differential diagnosis of skin metastases which revealed subacute spongiotic dermatitis. The lesions completely regressed in two weeks with the use of topical steroids and antihistamine tablets. Nivolumab treatment was not interrupted, and no reaction was observed during or after the next cycle. Although RRD is rarely encountered clinically, it is a diagnosis that should be kept in mind while continuing treatment with systemic agents in patients with a history of RT. With the widespread use of ICI, RRD associated with these treatments could be better defined and appropriately managed.