Generalized morphea in the setting of pembrolizumab

Scleroderma-like Lesions in a Patient Undergoing Combined Pembrolizumab and Routine Chemotherapy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a challenging malignancy with limited treatment options and a poor prognosis. Adjuvant therapies, including chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), are commonly employed following breast conservation surgery. However, these treatments can lead to various adverse effects, including cutaneous complications and connective tissue disorders. Here, we present the case of a 54-year-old woman with TNBC who developed morphea, a form of localized scleroderma, following adjuvant chemotherapy and pembrolizumab administration. This case highlights the rarity of drug-induced morphea and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing such adverse events in breast cancer patients. We discuss the clinical characteristics, diagnostic challenges, and treatment considerations associated with drug-induced scleroderma-like lesions, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying their development. Furthermore, we review the literature on the incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of scleroderma-like lesions induced by chemotherapy and ICIs. This case underscores the need for increased awareness of immune-related adverse events in patients receiving immunotherapy, as well as the importance of individualized treatment approaches to optimize patient care and outcomes.

Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Scleroderma and Scleroderma Mimics

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are the standard of care for various malignancies and have been associated with a wide spectrum of complications that are phenotypically akin to primary autoimmune diseases. While the literature on these toxicities is growing, there is a paucity of data regarding ICI-associated scleroderma which can carry significant morbidity and limit the ability to continue effective ICI therapy. Our review aimed to analyze the current literature on ICI-associated systemic scleroderma (ICI-SSc) and key scleroderma mimics. Cases of ICI-SSc had notable differences from primary SSc, such as fewer vascular features and less seropositivity (such as scleroderma-specific antibodies and antinuclear antibodies). We found that patients with a diagnosis of SSc prior to the start of ICI can also experience flares of pre-existing disease after ICI treatment used for their cancer. Regarding scleroderma mimics, several cases of ICI-eosinophilic fasciitis have also been described with variable clinical presentations and courses. We found no cases of scleroderma mimics: ICI-scleromyxedema or ICI-scleroedema. There is a critical need for multi-institutional efforts to collaborate on developing a patient database and conducting robust, prospective research on ICI-scleroderma. This will ultimately facilitate more effective clinical evaluations and management for ICI-scleroderma.

Scleroderma Secondary to Pembrolizumab: A Case Report and Review of 19 Cases of Anti-PD-1-Induced Scleroderma

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are increasingly being used to treat various malignancies. Despite their efficacy, they are known to potentially cause immune-related adverse effects, including dermatological manifestations. A rare cutaneous immune-related adverse effect is scleroderma, which has been reported to occur with anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) agents such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab. This may present with skin tightening and hardening at any point during or after immunotherapy. We present the case of a 54-year-old Caucasian woman who, following 16 doses of pembrolizumab for breast cancer, developed clinical features of scleroderma confirmed on histology. She was initially treated with oral corticosteroids, followed by oral psoralen-UVA, with poor response, but eventually improved with methotrexate. A literature review revealed 12 other cases of scleroderma following pembrolizumab treatment and 6 cases of scleroderma following nivolumab treatment. Males and females were both affected, and their ages ranged from 33 to 81 years. Scleroderma developed at different stages of pembrolizumab or nivolumab therapy. Although scleroderma is not commonly drug-induced, anti-PD-1 agents may be a rare cause and it is important to elicit an accurate drug history, including immunotherapy, in such cases.

Drug-induced scleroderma-like lesion

Drug-induced scleroderma-like lesion is a condition in which administration of a drug induces skin sclerotic lesions similar to systemic sclerosis or morphea. The clinical manifestations of drug-induced scleroderma-like lesion can be divided into two types: scleroderma-like lesions and morphea-like plaques. A wide variety of drugs can cause drug-induced scleroderma-like lesion. Bleomycin, _L-tryptophan, vinyl chloride, and phytonadione (vitamin K₁) have been reported, but in recent years, cases due to chemotherapeutic agents, such as taxane-based agents, gemcitabine, and tegafur-uracil, and immune checkpoint inhibitors have increased. Drug-induced scleroderma-like lesion differs from systemic sclerosis in that it does not include Raynaud's phenomenon, nail-fold capillary abnormality, organ involvement, such as reflux esophagitis, interstitial pneumonia, renal crisis, or anti-nuclear Abs. On the other hand, there are reports of cases in which Raynaud's phenomenon, positive conversion of anti-nuclear Abs, and development of skin sclerosis from the fingers developed after initiation of the drug. Whether the skin sclerosis improves after discontinuation of the drug depends on the patient. In patients with severe skin sclerosis, functional impairment, such as flexion contracture of the fingers, may occur, and systemic therapy, such as steroids, may be necessary. When treating patients with skin sclerosis, it is important to keep in mind the possibility that the sclerotic lesion may be induced by a drug.

Morphea following treatment with pembrolizumab for melanoma with metastatic lymph nodes: case report and review of literature

Pembrolizumab is a humanized IgG4 isotype mAb that the targets and blocks the programmed cell death protein 1 receptor on lymphocytes. Its use in treating metastatic melanoma is associated with increased overall survival compared to other older immunotherapies. Several adverse effects have been noted including both systemic and cutaneous manifestations. As a relatively novel treatment option, many new cutaneous manifestations are still being observed, occurring at various times after initiation of therapy. Previously noted cutaneous adverse effects include sarcoid-like reactions, rash, and changes in preexisting lesions or scars. Here we present a case in which biopsy-proven morphea developed after completion of pembrolizumab therapy.

Nivolumab-induced plaque morphea in a malign melanoma patient

BACKGROUND

Nivolumab is one of the targeted cancer therapy agent that acts to increase the immune responses by inhibition of antiprogrammed-death-receptor 1, which is one of the check points of the immune response. Nivolumab can be used to treat malign melanoma, lung, renal, head and neck, colorectal, hepatocellular cancers, and special cases of Hodgkin lymphoma.

AIMS

We aimed to report a rarer cutaneous side effect of nivolumab because of the increasing uses of this agent in various cancer treatments.

METHODS

We present a 48-year-old female, metastatic melanoma patient who developed plaque morphea lesion without any systemic involvement during nivolumab treatment. Plaque lesion responded well to use of topical corticosteroid and calcipotriol.

RESULTS

Numerous cutaneous side effects associated with nivolumab have been reported in the literature. The most common cutaneous side effects are maculopapular rash, pruritus, and vitiligo. Morphea and disorders from this spectrum reported due to PD-1 inhibitors in the literature are; morphea, sclerodermoid changes, eosinophilic fasciitis, and lichen sclerosis.

CONCLUSION

Patients who are treated by PD-1 inhibitors may be examined carefully in terms of morphea and scleroderma-like conditions although they are not as common as other cutaneous side effects.