ACUTE EXUDATIVE PARANEOPLASTIC POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY DURING VEMURAFENIB AND PEMBROLIZUMAB TREATMENT FOR METASTATIC MELANOMA

Autoantibodies Against Bestrophin in Non-Paraneoplastic Acute Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) has recently been identified as a paraneoplastic manifestation of various cancers. Yet, the first reported cases of AEPVM in the literature were reported in seemingly healthy individuals. It is not clear whether those individuals harbored unidentified mutations or occult cancers, or truly represented a separate subset of AEPVM. Here, we report two cases of mutation-negative, autoantibody-positive non-paraneoplastic AEPVM. We present multimodal ocular imaging to demonstrate the presentation of this subset of AEPVM. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2024;55:51-54.].

COVID-19 VACCINE-INDUCED ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY: CASE REPORTS

BACKGROUND

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy is a presumed retinal pigment epithelium abnormality that has been reported in patients with neoplasms and under certain classes of drugs. The pathophysiology remains unclear, despite the typical clinical features.

PURPOSE

To report two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine.

CASE REPORTS

Two adult patients presented with visual disturbance after inoculation with a COVID-19 vaccine. The patients were otherwise healthy and have no family history of retinal dystrophies. Both cases exhibited the following features on multimodal imaging: multifocal hyporeflective lesions involving the macula, elongated photoreceptors, accumulated vitelliform material exhibiting autofluorescence, and lack of fluorescein dye leakage. Evidence of retinal pigment epithelium dysfunction was confirmed by electrooculography.

CONCLUSION

Two cases of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy occurring after COVID-19 vaccination were reported. A relationship between the vaccine and the retinal pigment epithelial abnormality development that led to acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy was postulate, possibly through autoantibodies against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus structural surface glycoprotein antigens that cross react with the normal retinal pigment epithelial cells.

ADULT-ONSET BEST1 -VITELLIFORM DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATED WITH ANGIOID STREAK-LIKE CHANGES IN TWO SIBLINGS

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

To describe the association between autosomal dominant Best disease and peripapillary angioid streak-like changes.

METHODS

Case report of two siblings.

RESULTS

A 76-year-old White man was referred for evaluation of bilateral macular changes and worsening visual distortion over the preceding 2 years. Best-corrected visual acuity measured 20/30 in the right eye and 20/80 in the left eye. Funduscopic examination revealed multifocal yellow lesions in the posterior pole that were hyperautofluorescent on short-wavelength excitation and corresponded with subretinal hyperreflective material on optical coherence tomography. The posterior pole examination was interesting because of the juxtapapillary involvement of the vitelliform lesions and the presence of bilateral peripapillary angioid streak-like changes despite no history of conditions associated with angioid streaks. On further workup, an electrooculogram revealed reduced Arden ratios and a known heterozygous missense mutation in BEST1 (c.903T>G; p .D301E) was found. The patient's 69-year-old younger brother was brought in and found to have a remarkably similar phenotype, including the presence of angioid streak-like changes associated with the same BEST1 mutation.

CONCLUSION

These two cases demonstrate the possibility of late-onset multifocal vitelliform disease due to dominantly inherited BEST1 . A consistent phenotype in this family with macular lesions extending into the peripapillary region, associated with angioid streak-like changes, suggests susceptibility of this region to changes in dominant BEST1 -vitelliform macular dystrophy.

Relation between ocular paraneoplastic syndromes and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI): review of literature

PURPOSE

To describe different ocular paraneoplastic syndromes in patients treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICI), its relation with different types of ICI and different types of tumors, and its implications for treatment.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed.

RESULTS

Patients treated with ICI can present with different ocular paraneoplastic syndromes, such as Carcinoma Associated Retinopathy (CAR), Melanoma Associated Retinopathy (MAR) and paraneoplastic Acute Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy (pAEPVM). In literature, the different types of paraneoplastic retinopathy are mostly related to different types of primary tumors, with MAR and pAEPVM seen in melanoma, and CAR in carcinoma. Visual prognosis is limited in MAR and CAR.

CONCLUSION

Paraneoplastic disorders result from an antitumor immune response against a shared autoantigen between the tumor and ocular tissue. ICI enhance the antitumor immune response, which can lead to increased cross-reaction against ocular structures and unmasking of a predisposed paraneoplastic syndrome. Different types of primary tumors are related to different cross-reactive antibodies. Therefore, the different types of paraneoplastic syndromes are related to different types of primary tumors and are probably unrelated to the type of ICI. ICI-related paraneoplastic syndromes often lead to an ethical dilemma. Continuation of ICI treatment can lead to irreversible visual loss in MAR and CAR. In these cases overall survival must be weighed against quality of life. In pAEPVM however, the vitelliform lesions can disappear with tumor control, which may involve continuation of ICI.

The Impact of Systemic Medications on Retinal Function

This study will provide a thorough review of systemic (and select intravitreal) medications, along with illicit drugs that are capable of causing various patterns of retinal toxicity. The diagnosis is established by taking a thorough medication and drug history, and then by pattern recognition of the clinical retinal changes and multimodal imaging features. Examples of all of these types of toxicity will be thoroughly reviewed, including agents that cause retinal pigment epithelial disruption (hydroxychloroquine, thioridazine, pentosan polysulfate sodium, dideoxyinosine), retinal vascular occlusion (quinine, oral contraceptives), cystoid macular edema/retinal edema (nicotinic acid, sulfa-containing medications, taxels, glitazones), crystalline deposition (tamoxifen, canthaxanthin, methoxyflurane), uveitis, miscellaneous, and subjective visual symptoms (digoxin, sildenafil). The impact of newer chemotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics (tyrosine kinase inhibitor, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase, checkpoint, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase inhibitors, and others), will also be thoroughly reviewed. The mechanism of action will be explored in detail when known. When applicable, preventive measures will be discussed, and treatment will be reviewed. Illicit drugs (cannabinoids, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, alkyl nitrite), will also be reviewed in terms of the potential impact on retinal function.

Ocular adverse events associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, a scoping review

INTRODUCTION

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become an important part of the treatment of multiple cancers, especially for advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer. Some tumors are capable of escaping immunosurveillance by stimulating checkpoints on T-cells. ICIs prevent activation of these checkpoints and thereby stimulate the immune system and indirectly the anti-tumor response. However, the use of ICIs is associated with various adverse events. Ocular side effects are rare but may have a major impact on the quality of life of the patient.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search of the medical databases Web of Science, Embase and PubMed was performed. Articles that provided a comprehensive description of a case report containing 1) cancer patient(s) treated with (a combination of) immune checkpoint inhibitors, and 2) assessed occurrence of ocular adverse events, were included. A total of 290 case reports were included.

RESULTS

Melanoma (n = 179; 61.7%) and lung cancer (n = 56; 19.3%) were the most frequent reported malignancies. The primary used ICIs were nivolumab (n = 123; 42.5%) and ipilimumab (n = 116; 40.0%). Uveitis was most the common adverse event (n = 134; 46.2%) and mainly related to melanoma. Neuro-ophthalmic disorders, including myasthenia gravis and cranial nerve disorders, were the second most common adverse events (n = 71; 24.5%), mainly related to lung cancer. Adverse events affecting the orbit and the cornea were reported in 33 (11.4%) and 30 cases (10.3%) respectively. Adverse events concerning the retina were reported in 26 cases (9.0%).

CONCLUSION

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of all reported ocular adverse events related to the use of ICIs. The insights retrieved from this review might contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of these ocular adverse events. Particularly, the difference between actual immune-related adverse events and paraneoplastic syndromes might be relevant. These findings might be of great value in establishing guidelines on how to manage ocular adverse events related to ICIs.

Vitelliform maculopathy: Diverse etiologies originating from one common pathway

Vitelliform lesions (VLs) are associated with a wide array of macular disorders but are the result of one common pathway: retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) impairment and phagocytic dysfunction. VLs are defined by the accumulation of yellowish subretinal material. In the era of multimodal advanced retinal imaging, VLs can be further characterized by subretinal hyperreflectivity with optical coherence tomography and hyperautofluorescence with fundus autofluorescence. VLs can be the result of genetic or acquired retinal diseases. In younger patients, VLs usually occur in the setting of Best disease. Additional genetic causes of VL include pattern dystrophy or adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy. In older patients, acquired VLs can be associated with a broad spectrum of etiologies, including tractional, paraneoplastic, toxic, and degenerative disorders. The main cause of visual morbidity in eyes with VLs is the onset of macular atrophy and macular neovascularization. Histopathological studies have provided new insights into the location, nature, and lifecycle of the vitelliform material comprised of melanosomes, lipofuscin, melanolipofuscin, and outer segment debris located between the RPE and photoreceptor layer. Impaired phagocytosis by the RPE cells is the unifying pathway leading to VL development. We discuss and summarize the nature, pathogenesis, multimodal imaging characteristics, etiologies, and natural course of vitelliform maculopathies.

Paraneoplastic syndrome in neuroophthalmology

Paraneoplastic syndrome is a group of clinical symptoms that occur in the state of systemic malignant tumors. Paraneoplastic syndrome of the nervous system can affect any part of the central and peripheral nervous system and may also affect the eyes. In neuroophthalmology, paraneoplastic syndrome has a variety of manifestations that can affect both the afferent and efferent visual systems. The afferent system may involve the optic nerve, retina and uvea; the efferent system may involve eye movement, neuromuscular joints or involuntary eye movements and pupil abnormalities and may also have other neurological symptoms outside the visual system. This article discusses the clinical manifestations, pathological mechanisms, detection methods and treatment methods of paraneoplastic syndrome in neuroophthalmology. The performance of paraneoplastic syndrome is diverse, the diagnosis is difficult, and the treatment should be considered systematically. Differential diagnosis, optimal evaluation and management of these manifestations is not only the key to treatment but also a challenge.

Autoimmune retinopathy with associated anti-retinal antibodies as a potential immune-related adverse event associated with immunotherapy in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma: case series and systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the spectrum of autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) associated with immunotherapy for advanced cutaneous melanoma.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Retrospective chart review on patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma who developed AIR after initiating immunotherapy. Complete ophthalmic examination and relevant ancillary testing were performed on each patient. The presence of AIR-associated anti-retinal antibodies was confirmed by western blot and/or immunohistochemical staining. Ophthalmic and systemic outcomes after treatment for AIR were followed over time. A systematic review of AIR associated with immunotherapy for cutaneous or non-ocular mucosal melanoma was carried out in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

RESULTS

Case 1 developed photopsia and nyctalopia with electroretinographic findings characteristic for melanoma-associated retinopathy 1 week after initiating ipilimumab/nivolumab immunotherapy. Case 2 experienced new severe bilateral visual field loss associated with anti-retinal and anti-optic nerve antibodies while on maintenance nivolumab immunotherapy. Case 3 developed decreased visual acuity due to acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy within 2 weeks of initiating ipilimumab/nivolumab immunotherapy. All patients had concurrent extraocular immune-related adverse events in addition to the presence of anti-retinal antibodies on serological testing. 14 published cases of AIR associated with immunotherapy for cutaneous or non-ocular mucosal melanoma were identified and reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

Immune checkpoint inhibition can trigger the development of AIR with varied clinical manifestations in patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma. This study highlights the need for close monitoring in cutaneous melanoma patients receiving immunotherapy who develop new visual symptoms with or without funduscopic changes, as well as the potential role for screening of patients prior to initiating immunotherapy.

Acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy during pembrolizumab treatment for metastatic melanoma: a case report

Background

The use of immunomodulating therapy to treat various cancers has been on the rise and these immune checkpoint inhibitors are known to cause ocular side effects. In this article a case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) is reported which developed during a first line treatment with pembrolizumab.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old woman was referred because of blurry vision in both eyes with a yellow spot in the central visual field of the left eye. These symptoms started after four treatments with pembrolizumab (a monoclonal antibody against the programmed cell death receptor-1) for a metastatic recurrent vaginal mucosal melanoma. Her best corrected visual acuity was 10/10 in both eyes with a correction of + 2.00 bilaterally. There were no inflammatory findings in the anterior segment or the vitreous. Fundoscopy revealed an attenuation of the foveal reflex with subtle yellow-white subretinal macular deposits (vitelliform lesions) in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography did not show staining or leakage in the mid-phase, neither a late staining. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography of the macula illustrated bilateral neurosensory retinal detachment with a thick, highly reflective band at the outer photoreceptor segment. En face structural OCT at the level of the photoreceptors showed focal areas of increased signal corresponding to hyperreflective vitelliform material. The treatment with pembrolizumab was ceased immediately. During the following visits we slowly saw an improvement of the neurosensory retinal detachment. After almost four months a total resolution of the subretinal fluid was visualized in both eyes without the use of additional treatment, though the vitelliform deposits persisted.

Conclusions

The development of AEPVM in melanoma patients could be triggered by treatment with Pembrolizumab. Pembrolizumab has the potential to disturb indirectly the retinal pigment epithelium homeostasis with accumulation of lipofuscin deposits and subretinal fluid, both signs of AEPVM.

Recurrent Episodes with Serous Retinal Detachment and Anterior Uveitis in a Patient Using Nivolumab (Anti -PD-1 Antibody) Therapy: A case report and literature review

Aim: Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that has recently been widely used for metastatic malignant melanoma. We report a case who developed multiple different ocular immune-related side effects (iRAEs) related to nivolumab.Case Presentation: A 60-year-old man on nivolumab treatment for metastatic malignant melanoma developed a decrease in vision in both eyes several days after the third infusion. The initial best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was counting fingers in both eyes. Slit-lamp examination revealed no abnormal findings in the anterior segment of both eyes. Posterior segment evaluation showed serous retinal detachment, including the whole macula and inferior retina in both eyes, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) confirmed the diagnosis. On en face OCT analysis, hyperautoflorescent dots were noticed on the whole macular region but more intense at the inferior quadrant corresponding to serous retinal detachment. On Fluorescein Angiography (FA), no abnormality was observed. Oral corticosteroid treatment was administered. Subretinal fluid resolved one week after treatment in the right eye and two weeks after treatment in the left eye. BCVA was 20/20 in both eyes at first month of treatment. After that, oral corticosteroid treatment was tapered and stopped at the end of the second month. The patient was followed monthly. Two months after the treatment patient presented with an anterior uveitis episode with mild vision loss. Slit-lamp examination revealed 3+ cells in the anterior chamber and posterior synechia in both eyes. Posterior segment examination was normal. The patient was treated with topical corticosteroid and cycloplegic for two months. Hyperautoflorescent dots formed with serous detachment disappeared six months after the onset of serous detachment, and they did not occur during anterior uveitis episodes.Conclusions: This is the first clinical report of nivolumab-associated ocular iRAEs presenting with recurrent episodes presenting with serous retinal detachment and anterior uveitis. En face OCT imaging may help diagnose and show the activity of the posterior segment manifestation. When managed properly and observed closely following general and ocular conditions, it is possible to held iRAEs and overcome them by oral and/or topical corticosteroid therapy without interrupting the nivolumab.

Clinical Correlation between Acute Exudative Polymorphous Paraneoplastic Vitelliform Maculopathy and Metastatic Melanoma Disease Activity: A 48-month Longitudinal Case Report

PURPOSE

Longitudinal evaluation of acute exudative polymorphous paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy (AEPPVM) following diagnosis and treatment of metastatic melanoma.

METHODS

Case report of a 47-year-old male with unknown primary metastatic melanoma and AEPPVM monitored before and during melanoma treatment using clinical exam, retinal imaging, and electroretinograms (ERG). Genetic testing and autoantibody panels were performed.

RESULTS

He presented within a month of metastatic melanoma diagnosis with numerous bilateral vitelliform lesions in the posterior pole, consistent with AEPPVM. Metastatic disease was treated with immunotherapy, radiosurgery, and radiation over 48 months. Maculopathy and metastatic disease improved and worsened in parallel. Genetic testing was negative for bestrophin-1. An autoantibody panel was positive for anti-recoverin and transducin-α.

CONCLUSION

AEPPVM is an uncommon paraneoplastic retinopathy found in patients with metastatic malignancy. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating a temporal association between metastatic disease activity and quantifiable changes in retinal imaging over a 4-year period.

Paraneoplastic acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy improved with intravitreal methotrexate

Purpose

To describe a case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy (AEPVM) treated with intravitreal methotrexate.

Observations

A 58-year-old man with a history of metastatic melanoma developed paraneoplastic acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy, refractory to oral prednisone, intravitreal bevacizumab and intravitreal preservative-free triamcinolone. Improvement in vision and resolution of subfoveal fluid was later seen after intravitreal methotrexate therapy.

Conclusions and Importance

AEPVM is a rare and poorly understood retinal disorder that may be idiopathic or may manifest in patients with malignancies. The pathogenic process is thought to be an attack directed against the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors. Intravitreal methotrexate may provide benefit when treating AEPVM, especially when trials of steroids and anti-VEGF medications have failed.

The role of Checkpoint Inhibitors in Paraneoplastic Acute Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy: report of two cases

PURPOSE

To report on two cases with paraneoplastic Acute Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy (AEPVM) within one month after the initiation of nivolumab.

METHODS

Case report RESULTS:: Two patients with metastatic mucosal melanoma were diagnosed with AEPVM within one month after the initiation of the checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab. Both cases showed a neurosensory retinal detachment and subretinal hyperautofluorescent material, which persisted after discontinuation of nivolumab and treatment with local and/or systemic corticosteroids. In one case nivolumab was introduced again in a later stage in combination with surgical reduction of the tumor, eventually leading to resolution of the subretinal lipofuscin rich fluid.

CONCLUSION

The development of paraneoplastic AEPVM in melanoma patients can be triggered by treatment with nivolumab. However achieving tumor control, which may involve continuation of nivolumab, could be the key to success.

Factors associated with ocular adverse event after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment

Ocular adverse events (OAEs) including vision-threatening intraocular inflammation after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment have been increasingly reported; however, the risk factors associated with OAEs remain elusive. Here, we determined the factors associated with OAEs after ICI treatment. We analyzed 40 consecutive patients who experienced OAEs after ICI treatments. The OAEs included anterior uveitis, chorioretinitis, papillitis, foveal interdigitation zone thickening/serous retinal detachment (IZT/SRD), retinal vascular occlusion, and strabismus and ptosis. Of 40 patients, 18 (45%) were treated with atezolizumab, 13 (33%) with pembrolizumab, 7 (18%) with nivolumab, 1 (3%) with ipilimumab/nivolumab, and the other 1 (3%) with durvalumab/tremelimumab. BRAF/MEK inhibitors were concurrently used in 19 (48%) patients. Occurrence of intraocular inflammation was significantly associated with previous ocular surgery and trauma history (P = 0.015) and pembrolizumab use (P = 0.031). Neuro-ophthalmic complications and IZT/SRD were associated with brain metastasis (P = 0.005) and treatment with BRAF/MEK inhibitor (P < 0.001), respectively. In extensive literature review for clinical cases, we identified seven cases with intraocular inflammation, which were not observed with ipilimumab treatment, that occurred after a change of the drug to pembrolizumab. Collectively, these findings provide better understandings of OAEs after ICI treatment.

Bilateral multiple serous retinal detachments after treatment with nivolumab: a case report

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been widely used for advanced cancers and are known to cause ocular complications. We herein report a case developing bilateral serous retinal detachments, without ocular inflammation, after starting nivolumab treatment.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 73-year-old man was referred to our hospital, having become aware of metamorphopsia 2 months after starting nivolumab (anti-programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibody) for malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity. The initial corrected visual acuity of the right eye was 20/20, and that of the left eye was 20/16. There were no inflammatory findings in the anterior segment or the vitreous. Vitelliform lesions were found in the macular area of both ocular fundi, consistent with serous retinal detachment and subretinal deposits. Swept source optical coherence tomography showed diffuse thickening of the outer photoreceptor segment and thickening of the choroid. Two months after the initial diagnosis, multiple vitelliform lesions were noted, and the fundus findings had worsened. Indocyanine green fluorescein angiography showed delayed inflow in the peripapillary and posterior pole regions in the early phase of imaging. Fundus autofluorescence showed hyperautofluorescence consistent with most of the vitelliform lesions on color fundus photography.

CONCLUSIONS

Nivolumab may have impaired the pumping and phagocytosis functions of retinal pigment epithelial cells, resulting in bilateral serous retinal detachments and thickening of the photoreceptor outer segment. This is the first case report, to our knowledge, describing multiple bilateral serous retinal detachments and outer segment thickening without inflammation in a patient treated with nivolumab.

Multimodal Chorioretinal Imaging in Erdheim-Chester Disease

Purpose

To analyze the subclinical intraocular involvement using multimodal imaging approach in patients affected by Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) without ocular symptoms.

Patients and Methods

In this prospective cross-sectional study, 18 eyes of 9 consecutive patients with ECD were enrolled. Each patient underwent comprehensive ocular examination and extensive multimodal chorioretinal imaging.

Results

None of the patients presented any evidence of chorioretinal localization of disease using multimodal imaging. One patient exhibited a choroidal nevus complicated by active polypoidal choroidal neovascularization. Subretinal hyperreflective material was seen in three eyes, mainly resembling acquired vitelliform lesion. One patient had an isolated intraretinal hemorrhage. Most patients exhibited peripheral vascular abnormalities (ie, microaneurysms, peripheral vascular leakage). Fundus autofluorescence showed faint hyperautofluorescence in eleven eyes.

Conclusion

Intraocular involvement is an extremely rare event of an extremely rare disease. In patients affected by ECD without ocular symptoms, advance multimodal imaging examinations did not show signs of subclinical chorioretinal involvement related to the disease.

A Case Of Ipilimumab-Induced Unusual Serous Retinal Detachment In Bilateral Eyes

Purpose

Ipilimumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor that is now widely used for patients with metastatic malignant melanoma. However, this immune checkpoint inhibitor can induce related adverse events in various organs. Here, we report a case of bilateral drug (ipilimumab)-induced serous retinal detachment (SRD), and the characteristic features found during swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Case

A 78-year-old man with metastatic melanoma received 4 cycles of dacarbazine, nimustine, vincristine, and interferon-beta starting in January 2014, followed by 47 cycles of nivolumab starting in September 2014. Treatment with ipilimumab was started in June 2017. After 2 cycles of ipilimumab, the patient noticed impairment of the visual field in both of his eyes (at day 22) and visited our department in August 2017. Best corrected visual acuity at this initial visit was 16/20 in both eyes, while a fundus examination revealed SRD and retinal pigment epithelial detachments in both eyes. When using the horizontal and vertical 12 mm B-scanned images of SS-OCT, we detected SRD accompanied by a widely distributed high reflection of the photoreceptor outer segment, including the area where the SRD appeared. In addition, the image also showed the interdigitation zone was indistinguishable. Fluorescein angiography showed little leakage in the maculae. During his course of follow-up examinations, there was an increase in the SRD at the beginning, after which it then gradually decreased. However, the obscurity of the interdigitation zone remained.

Conclusion

Ipilimumab may cause impairment of the outer retinal layer. We suggest that this is a presumed ipilimumab-induced SRD.

FREQUENT SUBCLINICAL MACULAR CHANGES IN COMBINED BRAF/MEK INHIBITION WITH HIGH-DOSE HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AS TREATMENT FOR ADVANCED METASTATIC BRAF MUTANT MELANOMA: Preliminary Results From a Phase I/II Clinical Treatment Trial

PURPOSE

To assess the potential ocular toxicity of a combined BRAF inhibition (BRAFi) + MEK inhibition (MEKi) + hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) regime used to treat metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma.

METHODS

Patients with stage IV metastatic melanoma and BRAF V600E mutations (n = 11, 31-68 years of age) were included. Treatment was with oral dabrafenib, 150 mg bid, trametinib, 2 mg/day, and HCQ, 400 mg to 600 mg bid. An ophthalmic examination, spectral domain optical coherence tomography, near-infrared and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, and static perimetry were performed at baseline, 1 month, and q/6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

There were no clinically significant ocular events; there was no ocular inflammation. The only medication-related change was a separation of the photoreceptor outer segment tip from the apical retinal pigment epithelium that could be traced from the fovea to the perifoveal retina noted in 9/11 (82%) of the patients. There were no changes in retinal pigment epithelium melanization or lipofuscin content by near-infrared fundus autofluorescence and short-wavelength fundus autofluorescence, respectively. There were no inner retinal or outer nuclear layer changes. Visual acuities and sensitivities were unchanged.

CONCLUSION

BRAFi (trametinib) + MEKi (dabrafenib) + HCQ causes very frequent, subclinical separation of the photoreceptor outer segment from the apical retinal pigment epithelium without inner retinal changes or signs of inflammation. The changes suggest interference with the maintenance of the outer retinal barrier and/or phagocytic/pump functions of the retinal pigment epithelium by effective MEK inhibition.

Metastatic pulmonary melanoma complicated with erythroderma and recurrent sepsis

Erythroderma is occasionally associated with lung cancer. Here we report a 69-year-old male who has history of melanoma from 8 years ago presented with erythroderma associated with skin, soft tissue and pulmonary infection. CT chest showed a single enlarging right upper lobe lung nodule. Biopsy showed evidence of adenocarcinoma, and eventually proven to be metastatic melanoma. The patient improved after antibiotics and antifungal treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case of melanoma metastasis presented as erythroderma as paraneoplastic syndrome.