Nonantibestrophin Anti-RPE Antibodies in Paraneoplastic Exudative Polymorphous Vitelliform Maculopathy

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.

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.

Acute exudative polymorphous paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy (AEPPVM) associated with choroidal melanoma

Background

To report a case of acute exudative polymorphous paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy in a patient with a history of choroidal melanoma, with metastases to the pancreas, liver, and central nervous system.

Case presentation

A 63-year-old patient, with a history of enucleation of the right eye due to choroidal melanoma, complained of progressive visual loss during a follow-up visit. Fundoscopic examination revealed multiple small areas of serous retinal detachment scattered throughout the posterior pole and ancillary tests confirmed the diagnosis of acute exudative polymorphous paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy (AEPPVM). Screening for systemic metastases showed pancreatic, hepatic, and central nervous system involvement.

Conclusions

We describe a rare case of acute exudative polymorphous paraneoplastic vitelliform maculopathy, which should be considered in patients with or without a history of melanoma, who have vitelliform retinal detachments. Nevertheless, no previous reviews of literature have shown a correlation between AEPPVM and pancreatic metastasis.

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.

MULTIMODAL IMAGING OF ACUTE EXUDATIVE POLYMORPHOUS VITELLIFORM MACULOPATHY WITH OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY AND ADAPTIVE OPTICS SCANNING LASER OPHTHALMOSCOPY

PURPOSE

To report a case of acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy including the findings of optical coherence tomography angiography and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

METHODS

Findings on clinical examination, color fundus photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, infrared reflectance, autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography angiography, and adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy.

RESULTS

A 54-year-old white man with no significant medical history and history of smoking presented with bilateral multiple serous and vitelliform detachments consistent with acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy. Extensive infectious, inflammatory, and malignancy workup was negative. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed thickened, hyperreflective ellipsoid zone, subretinal fluid, and focal as well as diffuse subretinal hyperreflective material corresponding to the vitelliform lesions. Optical coherence tomography angiography showed normal retinal and choroidal vasculature, whereas adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy showed circular focal "target" lesions at the level of the photoreceptors in the area of foveal detachment.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal imaging is valuable in evaluating patients with acute exudative polymorphous vitelliform maculopathy.

CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR IMMUNE THERAPY: Systemic Indications and Ophthalmic Side Effects

PURPOSE

To review immune checkpoint inhibitor indications and ophthalmic side effects.

METHODS

A literature review was performed using a PubMed search for publications between 1990 and 2017.

RESULTS

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are designed to treat system malignancies by targeting one of three ligands, leading to T-cell activation for attack against malignant cells. These ligands (and targeted drug) include cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4, ipilimumab), programmed death protein 1 (PD-1, pembrolizumab, nivolumab), and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1, atezolizumab, avelumab, durvalumab). These medications upregulate the immune system and cause autoimmune-like side effects. Ophthalmic side effects most frequently manifest as uveitis (1%) and dry eye (1-24%). Other side effects include myasthenia gravis (n = 19 reports), inflammatory orbitopathy (n = 11), keratitis (n = 3), cranial nerve palsy (n = 3), optic neuropathy (n = 2), serous retinal detachment (n = 2), extraocular muscle myopathy (n = 1), atypical chorioretinal lesions (n = 1), immune retinopathy (n = 1), and neuroretinitis (n = 1). Most inflammatory side effects are managed with topical or periocular corticosteroids, but advanced cases require systemic corticosteroids and cessation of checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

CONCLUSION

Checkpoint inhibitors enhance the immune system by releasing inhibition on T cells, with risk of autoimmune-like side effects. Ophthalmologists should include immune-related adverse events in their differential when examining cancer patients with new ocular symptoms.

ACQUIRED VITELLIFORM DETACHMENT IN MULTIPLE MYELOMA

PURPOSE

To report a case of subfoveal acquired vitelliform detachment in a patient with multiple myeloma.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 65-year-old man was referred for treatment of a serous macular detachment considered to be caused from chronic central serous chorioretinopathy or adult pseudovitelliform macular dystrophy. His medical history revealed an untreated multiple myeloma. Systemic chemotherapy was undertaken and resulted in a rapid resolution of the detachment.

CONCLUSION

Multiple myeloma may be considered as a possible cause of vitelliform macular detachment.

Bestrophin 1 and retinal disease

Mutations in the gene BEST1 are causally associated with as many as five clinically distinct retinal degenerative diseases, which are collectively referred to as the "bestrophinopathies". These five associated diseases are: Best vitelliform macular dystrophy, autosomal recessive bestrophinopathy, adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy, autosomal dominant vitreoretinochoroidopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa. The most common of these is Best vitelliform macular dystrophy. Bestrophin 1 (Best1), the protein encoded by the gene BEST1, has been the subject of a great deal of research since it was first identified nearly two decades ago. Today we know that Best1 functions as both a pentameric anion channel and a regulator of intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling. Best1 is an integral membrane protein which, within the eye, is uniquely expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium where it predominantly localizes to the basolateral plasma membrane. Within the brain, Best1 expression has been documented in both glial cells and astrocytes where it functions in both tonic GABA release and glutamate transport. The crystal structure of Best1 has revealed critical information about how Best1 functions as an ion channel and how Ca²⁺ regulates that function. Studies using animal models have led to critical insights into the physiological roles of Best1 and advances in stem cell technology have allowed for the development of patient-derived, "disease in a dish" models. In this article we review our knowledge of Best1 and discuss prospects for near-term clinical trials to test therapies for the bestrophinopathies, a currently incurable and untreatable set of diseases.