Autoimmune fasciitis triggered by the anti-programmed cell death-1 monoclonal antibody nivolumab

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.

Drug-Associated Eosinophilic Fasciitis: A Case of Eosinophilic Fasciitis Secondary to Cemiplimab Therapy

BACKGROUND Eosinophilic fasciitis, also known as Shulman syndrome, is a rare inflammatory condition characterized by diffuse erythema and progressive collagenous thickening of the subcutaneous fascia. The underlying cause remains to be definitively established; however, several drugs have been linked to this uncommon clinical entity. We present a rare case of eosinophilic fasciitis secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. CASE REPORT A 72-year-old woman with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma presented to the rheumatology clinic for evaluation of joint pain that developed 3 weeks after beginning treatment with cemiplimab. The correlation of clinical history and physical examination was most consistent with osteoarthritis. Symptoms improved after a short course of low-dose prednisone. The patient continued cemiplimab therapy for approximately 1 year and was subsequently transitioned to carboplatin and radiation therapy. However, relapse occurred shortly thereafter, and cemiplimab was restarted. Two weeks later, the patient developed severe joint pain, morning stiffness, and extensive cutaneous discoloration and induration. A skin biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination of a tissue sample showed a mononuclear infiltrate with plasma cells and eosinophils. A diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis was established. Cemiplimab was held and the patient was treated with hydroxychloroquine, prednisone, and sulfasalazine. Symptoms improved within 1 week. CONCLUSIONS Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare but important adverse effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Individuals receiving immunotherapy should be monitored closely for symptoms of eosinophilic fasciitis, as prompt treatment is essential to prevent long-term complications.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Scleroderma-Like Syndrome: A Report of a Pembrolizumab-Induced "Eosinophilic Fasciitis-Like" Case and a Review of the Literature

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a promising new therapeutic strategy in oncology that aims to eliminate cancer cells by enhancing patients' immune response against tumor antigens. Despite their beneficial effects, immune checkpoint inhibitors are also responsible for a plethora of autoimmune manifestations, known as immune-related adverse events. We present a case of eosinophilic fasciitis-like disorder in an 81-year-old patient treated with the programmed death cell protein 1 inhibitor pembrolizumab for non-small-cell lung cancer. The patient developed characteristic indurated skin lesions in his limbs after 1½ years of treatment with pembrolizumab and a typical “groove sign.” Raynaud’s syndrome was absent. A full-thickness biopsy confirmed the clinical diagnosis of an “EF-like” condition. Neither peripheral eosinophilia nor eosinophilic infiltrates in the skin biopsy were found. His symptoms improved after a 2.5-month CPI discontinuation and treatment with 16 mg of methylprednisolone slowly tapered to a dose of 4 mg. Eosinophilic fasciitis is a rare immune-related adverse event of CPI treatment; our literature search identified only 12 cases that fulfill the criteria of EF in patients receiving CPIs.

EULAR points to consider for the diagnosis and management of rheumatic immune-related adverse events due to cancer immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors

Background

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are observed in about 10% of patients with cancer receiving checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs). Given the recent emergence of these events and the lack of guidance for rheumatologists addressing them, a European League Against Rheumatism task force was convened to harmonise expert opinion regarding their identification and management.

Methods

First, the group formulated research questions for a systematic literature review. Then, based on literature and using a consensus procedure, 4 overarching principles and 10 points to consider were developed.

Results

The overarching principles defined the role of rheumatologists in the management of irAEs, highlighting the shared decision-making process between patients, oncologists and rheumatologists. The points to consider inform rheumatologists on the wide spectrum of musculoskeletal irAEs, not fulfilling usual classification criteria of rheumatic diseases, and their differential diagnoses. Early referral and facilitated access to rheumatologist are recommended, to document the target organ inflammation. Regarding therapeutic, three treatment escalations were defined: (1) local/systemic glucocorticoids if symptoms are not controlled by symptomatic treatment, then tapered to the lowest efficient dose, (2) conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, in case of inadequate response to glucocorticoids or for steroid sparing and (3) biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, for severe or refractory irAEs. A warning has been made on severe myositis, a life-threatening situation, requiring high dose of glucocorticoids and close monitoring. For patients with pre-existing rheumatic disease, baseline immunosuppressive regimen should be kept at the lowest efficient dose before starting immunotherapies.

Conclusion

These statements provide guidance on diagnosis and management of rheumatic irAEs and aim to support future international collaborations.

Clinical characteristics of rheumatic syndromes associated with checkpoint inhibitors therapy

Compared with conventional cancer therapies, the spectrum of toxicities observed with checkpoint inhibitors is unique and can affect any organ system. Arthralgia and myalgia were by far the most commonly reported rheumatic immune-related adverse events in clinical trials, and there is now a growing number of case series and reports describing clinical features of de novo rheumatic immune-related adverse events, which will be the focus of this review. Some patients develop genuine classic rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, but a number of rheumatic immune-related adverse events mimic rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases with atypical features, mainly polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis and myositis, as well as several systemic conditions, including sicca syndrome, vasculitis, sarcoidosis, systemic sclerosis and lupus.

Eosinophilic Fasciitis Following Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy: Four Cases and a Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

Checkpoint inhibitor therapy is widely known to cause a number of immune-related adverse events. One rare adverse effect that is emerging is eosinophilic fasciitis, a fibrosing disorder causing inflammatory infiltration of subcutaneous fascia. It is characterized clinically by edema and subsequent induration and tightening of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The condition is rare, yet at our institutions we have seen four cases in the past 3 years. We describe our 4 cases and review 11 other cases reported in the literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present four cases of eosinophilic fasciitis following treatment with programmed cell death protein 1 or programmed cell death-ligand 1 blockade. All patients had extremity involvement with characteristic skin changes ranging from peripheral edema to induration, tightening, and joint limitation. The patients had varying degrees of peripheral eosinophilia. In two of our patients, the diagnosis was made by full-thickness skin biopsy showing lymphocytic infiltration of the subcutaneous fascia, with CD4+ T cells predominating in one case and CD8+ T cells in the other. In the other two cases, the diagnosis was made on the basis of characteristic imaging findings in the context of clinical features consistent with the diagnosis. All four patients were treated with glucocorticoids with varying degrees of success; immunotherapy had to be discontinued in all four. Patients with advanced melanoma who experienced this adverse effect had either a partial response or a complete response to therapy.

CONCLUSION

Eosinophilic fasciitis can occur as a result of checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Although a tissue diagnosis is the gold standard, imaging studies may facilitate the diagnosis in the presence of consistent clinical features, but a degree of suspicion is key to recognizing the condition early. Therapy requires a collaborative approach by oncology, rheumatology, and dermatology; physical therapy is an important adjunct in treatment. For advanced melanoma, it may be a good prognostic indicator.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

It is important for clinicians to recognize that eosinophilic fasciitis is a potential immune-related adverse event (irAE) as a consequence of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. The presentation is quite stereotypical; the diagnosis can be made by imaging in the absence of a full-thickness skin biopsy. Early intervention is important to limit morbidity. This irAE may be a good prognostic sign among patients with melanoma.

Neuromuscular adverse events associated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies: Systematic review

Neuromuscular adverse events following cancer treatment with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies are relatively rare, yet potentially fatal. We performed a systematic review to characterize the clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and management of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) in patients treated with nivolumab or pembrolizumab monotherapy or concurrent with other immunologic agents, such as ipilimumab. Sixty-one publications on 85 patients (mean age 66.9 years [range 34-86]; male/female 2.6:1; 59% metastatic melanoma) were identified from selected indexing databases until June 2018. Forty-eight patients had received nivolumab and 39 pembrolizumab. The mean number of PD-1 inhibitor treatment cycles prior to onset of symptoms was 3.6 (range 1-28). Symptoms included oculomotor (47%), respiratory (43%), bulbar (35%), and proximal weakness (35%), as well as muscle pain (28%). Diagnoses were categorized as myasthenia gravis (27%), neuropathy (23%), myopathy (34%), or a combination of these (16%). After a critical review of the data, however, evidence did not support the stated NMD diagnosis in 13% of cases, while up to 25% of patients had signs of additional NMDs. Cardiac complications occurred in more than 30% of patients diagnosed with myasthenia gravis or myositis. Mortality was high in these patients, despite adequate treatment strategies including corticosteroid, IV immunoglobulins, and plasma exchange. The clinical presentation of NMDs associated with PD-1 inhibitors is often atypical, with considerable overlap between myasthenia gravis and myopathy, and cardiac/respiratory complications are common.