A Case Report of Atezolizumab Induced Tumor Lysis Syndrome

Immune-related adverse event in the emergency department: methodology of the immune-related emergency disposition index (IrEDi)

For many cancer patients, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can be life-saving. However, the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) from ICIs can be debilitating and can quickly become severe or even be fatal. Often, irAEs will precipitate visits to the emergency department (ED). Therefore, early recognition and the decision to admit, observe, or discharge these patients from the ED can be key to a cancer patient's morbidity and mortality. ED clinicians typically make their decision for disposition (admit, observe, or discharge) within 2-6 h from their patient's ED presentation. However, irAEs are particularly challenging in the ED because of atypical presentations, the absence of classic symptoms, the delayed availability of diagnostic tests during the ED encounter, and the fast pace in the ED setting. At present, there is no single sufficiently large ED data source with clinical, biological, laboratory, and imaging data that will allow for the development of a tool that will guide early recognition and appropriate ED disposition of patients with potential irAEs. We describe an ongoing federally funded project that aims to develop an immune-related emergency disposition index (IrEDi). The project capitalizes on a multi-site collaboration among 4 members of the Comprehensive Oncologic Emergency Research Network (CONCERN): MD Anderson Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Northwestern University, and University of California San Diego. If the aims are achieved, the IrEDi will be the first risk stratification tool derived from a large racial/ethnically and geographically diverse population of cancer patients. The future goal is to validate irEDi in general EDs to improve emergency care of cancer patients on ICIs.

PD-1 and PD-L1: architects of immune symphony and immunotherapy breakthroughs in cancer treatment

PD-1 (Programmed Cell Death Protein-1) and PD-L1 (Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1) play a crucial role in regulating the immune system and preventing autoimmunity. Cancer cells can manipulate this system, allowing them to escape immune detection and promote tumor growth. Therapies targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have transformed cancer treatment and have demonstrated significant effectiveness against various cancer types. This study delves into the structure and signaling dynamics of PD-1 and its ligands PD-L1/PD-L2, the diverse PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and their efficacy, and the resistance observed in some patients. Furthermore, this study explored the challenges associated with the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment approach. Recent advancements in the combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical procedures to enhance patient outcomes have also been highlighted. Overall, this study offers an in-depth overview of the significance of PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy and its future implications in oncology.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Tumor Lysis Syndrome: A Real-World Pharmacovigilance Study

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have substantially improved the clinical outcomes of various malignancies. However, the adverse event of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) has not been included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines or drug inserts. In this study, we aimed to establish the relationship between ICI therapies and TLS events using data from a real-world pharmacovigilance database.

Methods: The MedDRA terms of TLS and both generic and brand names of ICIs were retrieved from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. Four frequentist algorithms were employed to confirm the association between the TLS and the ICI regimens, involving anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (anti-CTLA-4), anti–programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1), and anti-(CTLA-4 + PD-1). A descriptive and statistical analysis was performed according to the case information.

Results: One hundred sixty-four TLS cases, where patients underwent anti-CTLA-4 (n = 14), anti-(PD-1)/(PD-L1) (n = 113), or anti-(CTLA-4 + PD-1) (n = 37) therapies, were collected between the first quarter of 2004 and the fourth quarter of 2020. The most coverage-reporting year, age-group, sex, reporter, region, country, and indication were 2020 (n = 62), 60–74 years (n = 65), males (n = 105), physician (n = 66), Asia (n = 80), Japan (n = 67), and lung and thymus malignancies (n = 40), respectively. The median TLS onset time associated with anti-CTLA-4, anti-(PD-1)/(PD-L1), and anti-(CTLA-4 + PD-1) therapies was 6 (IQR: 2–39.5), 9 (IQR: 2–40), and 20 (IQR: 7.5–37.75) days, respectively. Mortality distribution of 71 reported death outcomes among three groups was statistically significant. All four algorithm signal values of anti-(CTLA-4 + PD-1) were higher than those of anti-CTLA-4 and anti-(PD-1)/(PD-L1).

Conclusion: Elderly male patients with lung and thymus malignancies are frequently predisposed to TLS. ICI therapies could induce TLS in both solid and hematological malignancies. The rapid onset time and poor outcomes of patients prompt caution from health-care professionals.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome After a Single Dose of Atezolizumab with Nab-Paclitaxel: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Patient: Female, 55-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Metastatic breast cancer • tumor lysis syndrome

Symptoms: Anorexia • lethargy • oliguria • weakness

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Oncology

Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Rare Case Report from Nephrology

Patient: Female, 89

Final Diagnosis: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)

Symptoms: Dyspnea

Medication: Steriods

Clinical Procedure: HD

Specialty: Nephrology