Ipilimumab-induced Ocular and Orbital Inflammation—A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Update on Neuro-ophthalmic Manifestations of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) use has been on the rise for treatment of many different malignancies. Subsequently, more has been learned about immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that occur up to 12 months after treatment. This review summarizes the latest findings and management of neuro-ophthalmic associated irAEs.

RECENT FINDINGS

irAEs can affect the afferent and efferent neuro-ophthalmic pathways, thereby targeting central and peripheral nervous systems. As more cases are being reported, it is becoming apparent that neuro-ophthalmic irAEs often present with atypical features when compared to their spontaneous autoimmune counterparts. These neuro-ophthalmic presentations can also be signs of a more extensive inflammatory process that spans other organ systems, such as myopathies, endocrinopathies, and paraneoplastic syndromes. Awareness of neuro-ophthalmic irAEs and their atypical presentations can lead to early detection, termination of ICI treatment, and immunosuppressant therapy initiation.

Characteristics of Ocular Inflammatory Side Effects Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in a Northern California Population

PURPOSE

To characterize the ocular inflammatory side effects associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor (CPI) treatment in a Northern California population.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients receiving CPI within an integrated healthcare delivery system.

METHODS

All patients within Kaiser Permanente Northern California receiving CPI between January 1, 2012 and November 1, 2018 were identified. Medical records of those seen in the ophthalmology clinic at least once were retrospectively reviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Type and duration of ocular inflammation, indication for and exposure to CPI, time from exposure to diagnosis of ocular inflammation.

RESULTS

31 cases of ocular inflammation were identified in 5061 patients (0.61%) receiving CPI. Mean ± SD age was 67 ± 11.9 (range 38-89). Mean time from exposure to diagnosis was 6.8 ± 5.5 months (range 0.5-17). 87% of cases were bilateral, and 43% of cases were chronic. Average ophthalmology follow-up was 16 ± 18 months (range 0-71). 16/31 (52%) had anterior uveitis, 7/31 (23%) had serous retinal detachment or panuveitis resembling Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, 4/31 (13%) had papillitis, and 6/31 (19%) had diplopia or ocular motility defect. There was one case each (3.2%) of melanoma associated retinopathy, corneal edema, granulomatous lacrimal gland enlargement, and choroidal neovascularization.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular inflammation is a rare immune associated side effect of CPI treatment, the most common manifestation of which is anterior uveitis.

Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prognosis of Uveitis Induced by Anticancer Drugs: A Review of Literature

There are increasing reports that anticancer drugs, especially immunotherapy and specific targeted therapy, can cause uveitis, but it is not fully understood whether the clinical features of this drug-induced uveitis differ from those of other types of uveitis and whether there are differences between these drugs. We retrospectively reviewed the published cases and case series in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane from January 2011 to October 2020. We analysed the data, including patients’ basic information, medications used, duration of use, time to onset, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of uveitis. We focused on the differences in uveitis caused by immunotherapy and specific targeted therapy. Altogether 93 cases (43 men, 48 women, and 2 cases whose gender was not mentioned) reported in 55 articles were included in this study. The average age was 59.6 ± 13.5 years. Eighty percent of the patients had bilateral involvement. Sixty cases were caused by immunotherapy (64.5%), and twenty-six were caused by specific targeted therapy (27.9%). No significant difference was found in the mean time from treatment to onset between the two groups. Anticancer drug-induced uveitis can involve all parts of the uvea from anterior to posterior, manifested as anterior chamber flare, anterior chamber cells, papillitis, macular oedema, subretinal fluid, and choroidal effusion. Anterior uveitis (24 cases, 40.0%) was more common in immunotherapy, and intermediate uveitis (8 cases, 30.8%) was more common in specific targeted therapy. The mean LogMAR visual acuity in specific targeted therapy at presentation was lower than in immunotherapy, but it was not statistically significant. Corticosteroid therapy can effectively control uveitis induced by anticancer drugs. However, the survival prognosis was poor. Among the 19 patients with reported cancer prognosis, seven (36.8%) had no cancer progression, eight (42.1%) had further metastases, and four (21.0%) died of cancer. In conclusion, uveitis caused by anticancer drugs involves both eyes and manifests as various types of uveitis. Patients with specific targeted therapy are more likely to have intermediate uveitis and low vision, and immunotherapy patients are more likely to have anterior uveitis. Corticosteroids are effective against uveitis caused by anticancer drugs.

Ocular Inflammation Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Ocular immunotherapy-related adverse events (IRAEs), although rare, can be sight-threatening. Our objective was to analyze ocular IRAEs diagnosed in France from the marketing of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPIs) until June 2021 and to review the literature. We collected the cases of 28 patients (36 ocular IRAEs), occurring after an average of 17 weeks (±19). Forty-six percent of patients were treated for metastatic melanoma. Anti-PD1 agents were responsible for 57% of the IRAEs. Anterior uveitis was the most common (44%), followed by panuveitis (28%). Of 25 uveitis cases, 80% were bilateral and 60% were granulomatous. We found one case with complete Vogt-Koyanagi–Harada syndrome and one case of birdshot retinochoroidopathy. The other IRAEs were eight ocular surface disorders, one optic neuropathy, and one inflammatory orbitopathy. Seventy percent of the IRAEs were grade 3 according to the common terminology of AEs. ICPIs were discontinued in 60% of patients and 50% received local corticosteroids alone. The literature review included 230 uveitis cases, of which 7% were granulomatous. The distributions of ICPIs, cancer, and type of uveitis were similar to our cohort. Ocular IRAEs appeared to be easily controlled by local or systemic corticosteroids and did not require routine discontinuation of ICPIs. Further work is still warranted to define the optimal management of ocular IRAEs.

New Therapeutic Approaches for Conjunctival Melanoma-What We Know So Far and Where Therapy Is Potentially Heading: Focus on Lymphatic Vessels and Dendritic Cells

Conjunctival melanoma (CM) accounts for 5% of all ocular melanomas and arises from malignantly transformed melanocytes in the conjunctival epithelium. Current therapies using surgical excision in combination with chemo- or cryotherapy still have high rates for recurrences and metastatic disease. Lately, novel signal transduction-targeted and immune checkpoint inhibitors like cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitors, programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) receptor inhibitors, BRAF- or MEK-inhibitors for systemic treatment of melanoma have improved the outcome even for unresectable cutaneous melanoma, improving patient survival dramatically. The use of these therapies is now also recommended for CM; however, the immunological background of CM is barely known, underlining the need for research to better understand the immunological basics when treating CM patients with immunomodulatory therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors activate tumor defense by interrupting inhibitory interactions between tumor cells and T lymphocytes at the so-called checkpoints. The tumor cells exploit these inhibitory targets on T-cells that are usually used by dendritic cells (DCs). DCs are antigen-presenting cells at the forefront of immune response induction. They contribute to immune tolerance and immune defense but in the case of tumor development, immune tolerance is often prevalent. Enhancing the immune response via DCs, interfering with the lymphatic pathways during immune cell migration and tumor development and specifically targeting tumor cells is a major therapeutic opportunity for many tumor entities including CM. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the function of lymphatic vessels in tumor growth and immune cell transport and continues to compare DC subsets in CM with related melanomas, such as cutaneous melanoma and mucosal melanoma.

Immune-Related Oral, Otologic, and Ocular Adverse Events

Emerging immunotherapeutic agents, including immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1), have revolutionized cancer treatment. The first immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) ipilimumab, an anti-CTLA-4, was approved in 2011. Since then, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved more than half a dozen immune checkpoint inhibitors to treat various malignancies. These agents are part of a broader class of chemotherapy agents termed immunotherapy, which selectively target different steps in the immune response cascade to upregulate the body's normal response to cancer. While the effects of traditional chemotherapy are well known, the toxicity profile of emerging immune therapies is not fully elucidated. They have been associated with atypical side effects labeled collectively as immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

Immune checkpoint inhibitor associated ocular hypertension (from presumed trabeculitis)

PURPOSE

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are associated with a range of immune-related adverse ophthalmic events. To date, there are scant reports of ocular hypertension coupled with ICI-associated uveitis. However, in instances of ocular hypertension in the context of only mild uveitic reaction and absence of synechiae, trabeculitis is considered. This series describes our observations of presumed trabeculitis in the setting of ICI therapy and investigates the clinical findings, treatment and outcome of these patients.

OBSERVATIONS

Two eyes of 2 patients (both male aged 65 and 43) developed a mild anterior uveitis and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) with open angles and no evidence of peripheral anterior synechiae in association with ICI treatment for their malignancy; and were considered to have presumed unilateral trabeculitis. The patients underwent 10 cycles (6.53 months) and 2 cycles (3.33 months) respectively of ICI therapy before developing ophthalmic symptoms. Neither patient was on systemic or topical steroid treatment at time of diagnosis and there was no suspicion of a viral etiology for the inflammation. Following management, the anterior uveitis resolved and IOP rapidly returned to normal in both eyes: ICI therapy was discontinued in both patients (and uneventfully re-challenged at a lower dose in one patient) and both eyes were treated with a combination of topical and/or oral glaucoma medications and topical steroids.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE

Uveitic ocular hypertension has been described with ICI. However, another immune-related mechanism for ocular hypertension with unique clinical characteristics, includes trabeculitis. We describe two cases of trabeculitis in the setting of ICI-therapy. The intraocular inflammation and elevated intraocular pressure which characterizes trabeculitis often responds rapidly to conservative treatment. In both patients checkpoint inhibitor therapy was discontinued and, in one patient, was re-challenged at a lower dose without recurrence. Immunotherapy is now more widely used for cancer treatment and its potential ocular manifestations should be shared with the ophthalmic community.

Ocular adverse events in PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors

Background

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors can cause unique immune-related adverse effects due to non-specific immunological activation. However, less is known about adverse effects of these drugs in the eye.

Methods

Two adverse event databases were retrospectively reviewed. The two databases consisted of a routine adverse event database and a serious adverse event database of expeditiously submitted reports. Patients with any malignancy who had ocular adverse events while on PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment were included. Patients received nivolumab, pembrolizumab, atezolizumab or durvalumab alone or in combination with other anticancer agents per each trial’s protocol. Databases were queried up to May 19, 2020.

Results

In the routine adverse event database, 272 adverse events from 213 patients were reported and in the serious adverse event reporting database, 59 ocular adverse events from 47 patients were reported. A lower estimate of the prevalance from the routine adverse event database showed 259/7727 patients on study treatment arms reporting ocular adverse events (3.3% prevalence). Excluding trials that do not report lower grade adverse events to the routine adverse event database results in a higher end estimate of 242/3255 patients on study treatment arms reporting ocular adverse events (7.4% prevalence). Ocular events occurred early after drug initiation (routine database: median 6 weeks, IQR 0–16, serious adverse events database: median 11 weeks, IQR 6–21). The median Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade was grade 1 (mild) (IQR 1–2) and grade 2 (moderate) (IQR 2–3) for the routine database and the serious adverse events database, respectively. In-depth analysis of the serious adverse event reports revealed varying degrees of clinical workup, with 30/47 patients (64%) receiving ophthalmological evaluation and 16/47 (34%) of patients having to delay or discontinue treatment. However, 16/47 (34%) patients experienced resolution and 14/47 (30%) patients experienced at least some improvement.

Conclusions

This is one of the largest analyses of ocular adverse events in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the USA. We found ocular adverse events are rare complications of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy, can be severe enough to cause treatment discontinuation/delay, and may not always be appropriately evaluated by eye specialists. Standardized plans for ophthalmology evaluation and management of ocular toxicities are needed in studies of patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) clinical practice guideline on immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are the standard of care for the treatment of several cancers. While these immunotherapies have improved patient outcomes in many clinical settings, they bring accompanying risks of toxicity, specifically immune-related adverse events (irAEs). There is a need for clear, effective guidelines for the management of irAEs during ICI treatment, motivating the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) to convene an expert panel to develop a clinical practice guideline. The panel discussed the recognition and management of single and combination ICI irAEs and ultimately developed evidence- and consensus-based recommendations to assist medical professionals in clinical decision-making and to improve outcomes for patients.

Overview of Ocular Side Effects of Selinexor

BACKGROUND

The aim of this review is to elucidate the type and frequency of ocular adverse events associated with selinexor with a goal to quantify the occurrence of these events in our investigator-initiated trial.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 174 patients treated with at least one dose of selinexor in combination with multiple standard chemotherapy or immunotherapy agents between July 2015 and July 2020 at a comprehensive cancer center in the U.S. All reported ocular adverse events were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 174 patient medical records were reviewed. All patients received at least one dose of selinexor in combination with multiple standard chemotherapy or immunotherapy agents in our cohort of patients with advanced malignancies. A total of 34 (19.54%) patients experienced 37 ocular adverse events. The most frequently reported ocular symptom was blurred vision, which was reported in 22 (12.64%) patients. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse event was dry eye syndrome reported in 21 (12.1%) patients, and 19 (10.9%) of them were diagnosed with mild dry eye. The second most common treatment-related adverse event was the progression of age-related nuclear sclerosis (cataract) reported in 7 (4.0%) patients. None of the ocular adverse events required therapy discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight that ocular adverse events associated with oral selinexor were mild. The most frequently reported ocular treatment-related adverse events were mild dry eye and progression of age-related nuclear sclerosis. None of the ocular adverse events required therapy discontinuation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Patients receiving selinexor in combination with multiple standard chemotherapy or immunotherapy agents were reviewed, with a total of 34 patients experiencing 37 ocular adverse events. Findings highlight that ocular adverse events associated with oral selinexor were mild. The most frequently reported ocular treatment-related adverse events were mild dry eye and progression of age-related nuclear sclerosis. None of the ocular adverse events required therapy discontinuation.

Ocular Toxicity of Targeted Anticancer Agents

The proliferation of targeted anticancer agents over the last two decades has revolutionized cancer treatment and improved survival in many previously refractory malignancies. However, many agents are associated with characteristic ophthalmic adverse effects. It is important that ophthalmologists recognize and maintain a high index of suspicion for these side effects in patients on targeted therapy. Most ophthalmic adverse effects can be treated with specific ocular therapy without discontinuation of cancer treatment, although it is important to be aware of the life-threatening and vision-threatening circumstances that would require therapy cessation in conjunction with the patient's oncologist. This review aims to summarize the ophthalmic adverse effects of targeted and hormonal anticancer agents and briefly describe their management.

Neuro-ophthalmic Complications of Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the field of oncology by modulating the immune cell-cancer cell interaction and thereby promoting immune system disinhibition in order to target several types of malignancies. There are three classes of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs): anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), anti-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), and anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1).It is not uncommon for physicians across all specialties to encounter a patient with a history of malignancy and ICI exposure, necessitating familiarity with their potential complications. In this review article, we discuss the most common immune-related adverse events (irAEs) pertaining to the central and peripheral nervous systems and their potential afferent and efferent neuro-ophthalmic manifestations. Early recognition and treatment of these irAEs, and discontinuation of the offending ICI are all critical steps to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Conjunctival Melanoma: Update on Genetics, Epigenetics and Targeted Molecular and Immune-Based Therapies

Purpose

To present the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of conjunctival melanoma (CM) and review the existing literature on targeted molecular inhibitors as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors for the management of locally advanced and metastatic disease.

Methods

A comprehensive review of the literature was performed using the keywords "conjunctival melanoma", "immune checkpoint inhibitors", "BRAF inhibitors", "MEK inhibitors", "CTLA4 inhibitors", "PD1 inhibitors", "c-KIT mutations", "BRAF mutations", "NRAS mutations", "dabrafenib", "trametinib", "vemurafenib", "ipilimumab", "pembrolizumab", and "nivolumab". A total of 250 articles were reviewed and 120 were included in this report.

Results

Mutations of mediators in the MAP kinase pathway, such as RAS, BRAF, MEK and ERK, and mutations of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway play a major role in the pathogenesis of conjunctival melanoma. In addition, alterations of c-KIT, NF1, TERT, chemokine receptors as well as chromosomal copy number alterations and micro RNAs are thought to have a causative association with CM development. Targeted molecular inhibitors, such as BRAF and MEK inhibitors, are currently being implemented in the therapy of BRAF-mutated CM. Furthermore, immune checkpoint PD-1 and CTLA4 inhibitors with favorable clinical outcomes in the treatment of cutaneous melanoma have increased recurrence-free survival and reduced metastatic spread in CM cases.

Conclusion

The complex molecular mechanisms that contribute to the development of CM can be targeted both by molecular inhibitors of oncogenic pathways as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors in order to halt progression of the disease and increase survival.

Bilateral uveitis associated with nivolumab therapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

To report a case of bilateral uveitis secondary to intravenous nivolumab therapy in a patient with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer.

Observations

A 53-year-old male with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer presented with gradual onset of blurry vision in the left eye for nine days after completion of the first cycle of intravenous nivolumab chemotherapy. At initial presentation, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/30 in the left eye. Slit lamp biomicroscopy examination of the left eye showed temporal injection of the conjunctiva and sclera, granulomatous keratic precipitates, and vitreous cells in the posterior segment. Imaging studies, including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, iridocyanine green angiography, and B scan ultrasonography, demonstrated acute inflammation in the posterior segment of the right eye and anterior, intermediate and posterior segments of the left eye. Nivolumab was discontinued and the patient received a course of corticosteroids resulting in resolution of visual complaints. The patient subsequently developed elevated and sustained intraocular pressures and decreased visual acuity in the left eye secondary to treatment complications. The patient was then lost to follow-up.

Conclusions and Importance

To our best knowledge, this is a rare case of bilateral uveitis secondary to intravenous nivolumab use and the sixteenth reported case of nivolumab-induced uveitis. Physicians should be aware of possible ocular complications associated with the use of nivolumab and provide prompt treatment when necessary.

SEOM clinical guideline for the management of immune-related adverse events in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (2019)

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors has emerged as an effective treatment option for patients with several tumor types. By increasing the activity of the immune system, they can induce inflammatory side effects, which are often termed immune-related adverse events. These are pathophysiologically unique toxicities, compared with those from other anticancer therapies. In addition, the spectrum of the target organs is very broad. Immune-inflammatory adverse events can be life threatening. Prompt diagnosis and pharmacological intervention are instrumental to avoid progression to severe manifestations. Consequently, clinicians require new skills to successfully diagnose and manage these events. These SEOM guidelines have been developed with the consensus of ten medical oncologists. Relevant studies published in peer-review journals were used for the guideline elaboration. The Infectious Diseases Society of America grading system was used to assign levels of evidence and grades of recommendation.

Management of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related adverse events: A review of case reports

Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a major breakthrough in cancer therapy. Immune‐related adverse events (irAEs) may occur during treatment due to their unique mechanism of action. Management of irAEs is based on clinical experience because it is not easy to conduct prospective trials to evaluate the best treatment strategy. Using a combination of search terms in the PubMed and Embase databases, we reviewed all cases in the English language citing toxicities associated with either pembrolizumab, nivolumab, ipilimumab, atezolizumab, tremelimumab, durvalumab, avelumab or any combination of these agents published before 20 May 2019. A total of 128 reports with 239 cases were included in the study. Here, we summarize the spectrum of toxicities, safety in special patients, rechallenging after irAEs and agents used for treatment of irAEs in those reports.

Pembrolizumab-related systemic myositis involving ocular and hindneck muscles resembling myasthenic gravis: a case report

Background

Pembrolizumab is an immune-checkpoints inhibitor that enhances the immune response against cancer cells and therefore is useful for the treatment of several carcinomas. However, pembrolizumab sometimes perturbs the immune system resulting in various autoimmune neurological complications. In this situation, autoimmune myositis due to pembrolizumab is a rare but not-negligible complication. Here, we report two cases of autoimmune myositis due to pembrolizumab, with systemic myositis involving levator palpebrae superioris, extraocular and hindneck muscles.

Case presentation

Case 1 was a 78-year-old man with advanced urinary cancer referred to the neurological ward presenting with bilateral ptosis, restriction of eye movements, dropped head and weakness in the lower extremities after pembrolizumab administration. His blood examination showed elevated serum levels of creatine kinase with positive anti-PM-Scl 75 and anti-signal recognition particle antibodies. Needle electromyography and MRI suggested systemic inflammatory myopathy. There were no findings to indicate myocardial involvement on electrocardiogram or echocardiogram. Administration of intravenous methylprednisolone following plasma exchange ameliorated creatine kinase levels and inhibited the progression of clinical symptoms. Case 2 was a 72-year-old female with lung cancer and multiple metastasis, including lymph nodes and brain. She presented with back pain, right-sided ptosis, weakness of her neck extensors and flexors and elevated serum creatine kinase after receiving pembrolizumab. Although myositis specific autoantibodies were negative, needle electromyography and MRI suggested systemic inflammatory myopathy and muscle biopsy indicated necrotizing myopathy. There were no signs indicating heart dysfunction and her electrocardiogram was normal. Clinical symptoms and serum creatine kinase levels were ameliorated after the administration of intravenous methylprednisolone.

Conclusions

Both cases showed atypical extensive inflammatory myositis including levator palpebrae superioris, extraocular and hindneck muscles, resembling myasthenia gravis (MG), but they did not have MG-related antibodies. Edrophonium test was negative and showed no daily fluctuation. Two previously reported cases also presented with systemic necrotizing systemic myositis involving extraocular and facial muscles caused by pembrolizumab. Idiopathic inflammatory myositis evolving levator palpebrae superioris and ocular muscles is quite rare; however, myositis due to immune-checkpoint inhibitors may preferentially involve these muscles. This case report will alert physicians to the possibility of systemic inflammatory myopathy evolving levator palpebrae superioris, extraocular and hindneck muscles mimicking MG due to pembrolizumab.

Susceptible loci associated with autoimmune disease as potential biomarkers for checkpoint inhibitor-induced immune-related adverse events

Unprecedented successes regarding cancer immunotherapy have been achieved, in which therapeutic agents are used to target immune cells rather than cancer cells. The most effective immunotherapy to date is the group of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI), targeting, for example, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) or programmed cell death protein (PD-1). TThe combination of these therapies (anti-PD-1 with anti-CTLA-4) induces high response rates, and seem to be increased further when applied in early-stage disease. However, combined CTLA-4 plus PD-1 blockade causes frequent high-grade immune-related adverse events (irAE). To date, research on biological mechanism of irAEs is scarce and no widely accepted biomarkers predicting onset of severe irAEs have been identified. The similarity of irAEs to autoimmune disorders fuels the hypothesis that irAEs may be linked to susceptible genetic loci related to various autoimmune diseases. In this review, we extensively searched for susceptible loci associated with various autoimmune diseases, and pooled them in groups most likely to be associated with CPI-induced irAEs. These sets could be used in future research on predicting irAEs and guide physicians in a more refined and personal manner.

Management of side effects of immune checkpoint blockade by anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies in metastatic melanoma

CTLA-4 and PD-1 are potential targets for tumor-induced downregulation of lymphocytic immune responses. Immune checkpoint-modifying monoclonal antibodies oppose these effects, inducing T cell-mediated immune responses to various tumors including melanoma. Both anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies modify the interaction between tumor, antigen-presenting cells, and T lymphocytes. With respect to overall survival, clinical studies have shown a major benefit for the anti-CTLA-4 antibody ipilimumab as well as the two anti-PD-1 antibodies nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Following approval of ipilimumab in 2011, the latter two achieved market authorization in the summer of 2015. Immune responses thus induced and enhanced inevitably entail autoimmune phenomena, affecting various organs to varying degrees. Knowledge of these side effects is crucial with regard to prevention and management by treating physicians. Typically occurring early on and presenting with pronounced and persistent diarrhea, colitis represents a major and severe side effect. Other immune-mediated disorders include dermatitis, hypophysitis, thyroiditis, hepatitis, iridocyclitis as well as other less common autoimmune phenomena. Early recognition and initiation of treatment can reduce risks and sequelae for patients. This review describes the mechanisms of action of immune checkpoint blockade as well as its clinical effects in metastatic melanoma, with a detailed focus on the spectrum of adverse events and their therapeutic management.

Identifying and managing the adverse effects of immune checkpoint blockade

Immunotherapy has revolutionized the field of oncology. By inhibiting the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein (CTLA-4) and programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint pathways, multiple studies have demonstrated greatly improved survival in locally advanced and metastatic cancers including melanoma, renal, lung, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Trials in other malignancies are ongoing, and undoubtedly the number of drugs in this space will grow beyond the six currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, by altering the immune response to fight cancer, a new class of side effects has emerged known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These adverse events are due to overactivation of the immune system in almost any organ of the body, and can occur at any point along a patient's treatment course. irAEs such as endocrinopathies (thyroiditis), colitis, and pneumonitis may occur more commonly. However, other organs such as the liver, heart, or brain may also be affected by immune overactivation and any of these side effects may become life threatening. This review presents an approach to promptly recognize and manage these toxicities, to hopefully minimize morbidity and mortality from irAEs.

Bilateral uveitis and macular edema induced by Nivolumab: a case report

Background

Nivolumab is a fully human antibody which is routinely used at first therapy for metastatic melanoma. Usually, side effects are immune-related adverse events. We report a case of a man who developed bilateral anterior uveitis and macular serous retinal detachment during nivolumab treatment for metastatic melanoma.

Case presentation

A man on nivolumab treatment for a leg melanoma with duodenal and lymph nodes metastases developed a sudden bilateral visual acuity impairment and bilateral non-painfull redness eyes several days after the third infusion. The clinical examination showed a significant decreased of the visual acuity. Slit lamp examination revealed the presence of bilateral granulomatous keratic precipitates, anterior chamber cells +++, bilateral synechiae, bilateral papilledema and macular edema associated with serous retinal detachment in the left eye. The anti-Programmed cells Death-1 was stopped and a topical corticosteroid treatment was administrated. After 8 days of topical corticosteroid treatment visual acuity was worsening with similar optical coherence tomography examination. An oral corticosteroid treatment was started. Evolution was favorable with a decrease of ocular inflammation and a complete visual acuity recovery after 3 weeks. Nivolumab was re-initiated.

Conclusions

This is the second clinical report of bilateral anterior uveitis associated with macular serous retinal detachment related to anti-PD-1 treatment, and the first with nivolumab. Cases of uveitis were reported several times. Although rare, ophthalmologic manifestations that are rapidly recognized and adequately managed can be treated.

Managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: consensus recommendations from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Toxicity Management Working Group

Cancer immunotherapy has transformed the treatment of cancer. However, increasing use of immune-based therapies, including the widely used class of agents known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, has exposed a discrete group of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Many of these are driven by the same immunologic mechanisms responsible for the drugs' therapeutic effects, namely blockade of inhibitory mechanisms that suppress the immune system and protect body tissues from an unconstrained acute or chronic immune response. Skin, gut, endocrine, lung and musculoskeletal irAEs are relatively common, whereas cardiovascular, hematologic, renal, neurologic and ophthalmologic irAEs occur much less frequently. The majority of irAEs are mild to moderate in severity; however, serious and occasionally life-threatening irAEs are reported in the literature, and treatment-related deaths occur in up to 2% of patients, varying by ICI. Immunotherapy-related irAEs typically have a delayed onset and prolonged duration compared to adverse events from chemotherapy, and effective management depends on early recognition and prompt intervention with immune suppression and/or immunomodulatory strategies. There is an urgent need for multidisciplinary guidance reflecting broad-based perspectives on how to recognize, report and manage organ-specific toxicities until evidence-based data are available to inform clinical decision-making. The Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) established a multidisciplinary Toxicity Management Working Group, which met for a full-day workshop to develop recommendations to standardize management of irAEs. Here we present their consensus recommendations on managing toxicities associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Immune-related adverse events during anticancer immunotherapy: Pathogenesis and management

Immunotherapy is one of the most recent systemic treatments to emerge for use in oncology, and is based on the blocking of inhibitory immune checkpoints to potentiate the immune response to cancer. The anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 antibody ipilimumab and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibodies, including nivolumab and pembrolizumab, are currently available and widely used, and other immune-inhibiting antibodies are now under intensive investigation. These antibodies have shown efficacy in a growing number of tumor types, following initial observations of their notable effects in melanoma treatment. Despite the efficacy of these antibodies, their novel mechanisms of action are also associated with a new class of side effects called immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). These side effects do not share a common pathophysiology with other anticancer treatments and, therefore, they often require specific therapies. When detected early and correctly treated, IRAEs are reversible; however, they can become severe and life-threatening if underestimated or inappropriately treated. This review aims to revisit the pathogenesis of IRAEs, with attention to gastrointestinal manifestations, since these are common and potentially dangerous complications of immunotherapy and represent a major cause of treatment discontinuation. Recommendations and guidelines for the management of IRAEs are also presented, in order to provide a clear and applicable algorithm for use by clinicians.

Neuro-ophthalmic side effects of molecularly targeted cancer drugs

The past two decades has been an amazing time in the advancement of cancer treatment. Molecularly targeted therapy is a concept in which specific cellular molecules (overexpressed, mutationally activated, or selectively expressed proteins) are manipulated in an advantageous manner to decrease the transformation, proliferation, and/or survival of cancer cells. In addition, increased knowledge of the role of the immune system in carcinogenesis has led to the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors to restore and enhance cellular-mediated antitumor immunity. The United States Food and Drug Administration approval of the chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) rituximab in 1997 for the treatment of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma ushered in a new era of targeted therapy for cancer. A year later, trastuzumab, a humanized mAb, was approved for patients with breast cancer. In 2001, imatinib was the first small-molecule kinase inhibitor approved. The approval of ipilimumab-the first in class immune checkpoint inhibitor-in 2011 serves as a landmark period of time in the resurgence of immunotherapy for cancer. Despite the notion that increased tumor specificity results in decreased complications, toxicity remains a major hurdle in the development and implementation of many of the targeted anticancer drugs. This article will provide an overview of the current cellular and immunological understanding of cancer pathogenesis-the foundation upon which molecularly targeted therapies were developed-and a description of the ocular and neuro-ophthalmic toxicity profile of mAbs, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and small-molecule kinase inhibitors.

Ipilimumab-induced Adenohypophysitis and Orbital Apex Syndrome: Importance of Early Diagnosis and Management

Ipilimumab is a novel anti-melanoma agent known to infrequently cause multi-organ autoimmunity. We report a case of pituitary hypophysitis and orbital inflammation followed by an orbital apex syndrome. A 64-year-old woman with a history of skin melanoma, receiving ipilimumab treatment, was seen for near total loss of vision in the right eye and proptosis. Headache of 3-month duration preceded the onset of diplopia followed by severe loss of vision in the right eye. Neuro-ophthalmologic examination was consistent with an orbital apex syndrome. Extensive blood work and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbit suggested an inflammatory process, rather than a metastatic lesion. Accordingly, the patient received high-dose methylprednisolone followed by tapering oral prednisone. At the 6-month follow-up visit, visual acuity on the right eye had significantly improved but diplopia remained, associated with large amplitude esotropia that improved incompletely though while on prednisone. The favourable outcome supported a final diagnosis of ipilimumab-induced inflammatory orbital apex syndrome and clinically silent pituitary adenohypophysitis. The case presented herein highlights unexpected ipilimumab-associated adverse effects and proposes the possibility of and interaction between inflammatory and immune mechanisms.

Development of Ocular Rosacea following Combined Ipilimumab and Nivolumab Treatment for Metastatic Malignant Skin Melanoma

PURPOSE

To report a case of severe ocular rosacea following ipilimumab plus nivolumab treatment in a patient with metastatic malignant skin melanoma.

METHODS

Case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

A 68-year-old male with newly diagnosed metastatic malignant cutaneous melanoma was treated with first-line ipilimumab plus nivolumab, which resulted in a partial response. Four months after initiation of treatment, the patient developed red eyelids and conjunctivae, with painful gritty eyes, limiting his capacity to read. Following a diagnosis of severe ocular rosacea and dry eyes, treatment including corticosteroids, antimicrobial agents, and eyelid hygiene was started, and within 3 months, the ocular complaints resolved.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma may trigger several ocular immune-related adverse events. This case describes severe ocular rosacea as an adverse event following ipilimumab plus nivolumab treatment.

Acute visual loss after ipilimumab treatment for metastatic melanoma

BACKGROUND

Ipilimumab, a humanized CLTA-4 antibody is a standard therapy in the treatment of advanced melanoma. While ipilimumab provides an overall survival benefit to patients, it can be associated with immune related adverse events (IrAEs).

CASE PRESENTATION

Here we describe a patient treated with ipilimumab who experienced known IrAEs, including hypophysitis, as well as a profound vision loss due to optic neuritis. There are rare reports of optic neuritis occurring as an adverse event associated with ipilimumab treatment. Furthermore, the patient experienced multiple complications from high dose steroids used to manage his IrAEs.

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the need for recognition of atypical immune mediated processes associated with newer checkpoint inhibitor therapies including ipilimumab.

In vivo Confocal Microscopy in Differentiating Ipilimumab-Induced Anterior Uveitis from Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

This report aims to describe the facilitating role of in vivo confocal microscopy in differentiating inflammatory cells from a metastatic process in a patient with uveal melanoma and multiple systemic metastases who developed anterior uveitis while under ipilimumab treatment. A 43-year-old woman developed systemic metastases 11 months after treatment of amelanotic choroidal melanoma in her right eye with 30 Gy fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy. She first received temozolomide and then 4 cycles of ipilimumab 3 mg/kg/day. After the third cycle, severe anterior uveitis with coarse pigment clumps on the lens was seen in the left eye. Her left visual acuity declined from 20/20 to 20/80. Confocal microscopy revealed globular keratic precipitates with hyperreflective inclusions and endothelial blebs all suggestive of granulomatous uveitis. The uveitic reaction subsided after a 3-week course of topical corticosteroids, and her visual acuity was 20/20 again. Although uveal melanoma metastatic to the intraocular structures of the fellow eye is exceedingly rare and metastasis masquerading uveitis without any identifiable uveal lesion is even more unusual, it was still mandatory to rule out this distant possibility in our particular patient who already had widespread systemic metastases. Confocal microscopy was a useful complementary tool by identifying the inflammatory features of the keratic precipitates.

Toxicity management of immunotherapy for patients with metastatic melanoma

Checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma offering improved responses and significant survival benefit. These agents are now approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, squamous and non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and kidney cancer, while they are now being investigated in a range of other malignancies. In addition, another anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (atezolizumab) was recently approved for urothelial cancer. Ipilimumab, an anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) antibody and the anti-PD-1 agents nivolumab and pembrolizumab have followed large clinical development programs, therefore, information regarding their safety and toxicity profile is readily available. Unique toxicities have been observed, which stem from and relate to the immune activation by these agents and are thus termed as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Clinicians and patients should be aware of this different toxicity profile, so as to promptly recognize, identify and manage symptoms related to irAEs. Indeed, clinical experience has shown that these immune events, when they are early recognized and timely managed, are mostly reversible otherwise they can evoke severe or even life-threatening situations. Several recommendations and guidelines have been developed for the management of irAEs and algorithms have been published based primarily on our knowledge from the ipilimumab trials.

Immune-Related Adverse Events From Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Immunotherapy for cancer treatment has come of age, specifically with the use of immune checkpoint antibodies directed against molecules such as CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1. Single-agent and combinatorial approaches utilizing these agents and other immunotherapies that may enhance antitumor effects are under investigation. With increasing clinical use of these agents, an appreciation for their toxicities comes to the fore. Adverse events that occur as a result of the immunologic effects of these therapies are termed "immune-related adverse events" (irAEs), and range in both frequency and severity in reported single-agent and combination studies. Improvements in our understanding of how and why irAEs develop and how to effectively manage them are needed. Herein we provide a state-of-the-art synopsis of the incidence, clinical features, mechanisms, and management of selected irAEs with immune checkpoint inhibitors currently in use.

Sneaky side effects and ineffectiveness of an immunotherapy with ipilimumab in a case of metastatic melanoma

Ipilimumab is an anti-CTLA-4 antibody that is approved for the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma. Side-effects are mostly immune-mediated and in many cases the lack of specific symptoms leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment of adverse events. We present the case of a female patient who experienced an uncommon combination of adverse reactions while undergoing therapy with ipilimumab and where the absence of specificity of the symptoms led to late diagnosis and treatment of side effects. Autoimmune disease was neither associated with tumor response nor with prolonged survival.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors side effects and management

The next decade in cancer therapy will be marked by the expansion of immunotherapies, namely immune checkpoint inhibitors. The increasing number and combination of checkpoint inhibitors and the variety of their mechanisms of action and indications will most likely multiply the side effects associated with these therapies and make their management more complicated and diversified. Given the growing rate of approval of different checkpoint inhibitors in different cancers in multiple settings, a review summarizing the major side effects of the new agents in use today and their management seems to be appropriate. Highlighting these adverse events and their management in a single review might help the daily practice of the physicians and consequently contribute the patient's safety and quality of life.

Bilateral neuroretinitis and anterior uveitis following ipilimumab treatment for metastatic melanoma

Background

This report presents a novel case of bilateral neuroretinitis and anterior uveitis in a patient receiving ipilimumab treatment for metastatic cutaneous melanoma and summarizes the literature regarding treatment options for patients with ipilimumab-related ocular immune-related adverse events.

Findings

The medical chart was reviewed, a literature search was performed, and the results were summarized. For the case presented here, in addition to discontinuation of ipilimumab, combined topical and oral corticosteroid therapy provided visual recovery and resolution of ocular inflammation over 2 months. Review of the literature identified that the majority of reported patients required treatment with oral corticosteroids for control of ocular and periocular inflammation.

Conclusions

Ipilimumab-induced ocular inflammation is a rare adverse immune event. This case, in conjunction with the current literature, suggests that in the setting of severe ocular inflammation, treatment with both topical and oral corticosteroids are typically required for management and preservation of good visual function.

Immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint blockade: a comprehensive review

Cancer immunotherapy is coming of age; it has prompted a paradigm shift in oncology, in which therapeutic agents are used to target immune cells rather than cancer cells. The first generation of new immunotherapies corresponds to antagonistic antibodies that block specific immune checkpoint molecules cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1. Targeting these checkpoints in patients living with cancer had led to long-lasting tumour responses. By unbalancing the immune system, these new immunotherapies also generate dysimmune toxicities, called immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) that mainly involve the gut, skin, endocrine glands, liver, and lung but can potentially affect any tissue. In view of their undisputed clinical efficacy, anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies are entering in the routine oncological practice, and the number of patients exposed to these drugs will increase dramatically in the near future. Although steroids can be used to treat these IRAEs, the associated immunosuppression may compromise the antitumour response. Oncologists must be ready to detect and manage these new types of adverse events. This review focuses on the mechanisms of IRAE generation, putative relationship between dysimmune toxicity and antitumour efficacy, as a basis for management guidelines.

The rapidly evolving therapies for advanced melanoma--Towards immunotherapy, molecular targeted therapy, and beyond

The incidence of melanoma in both males and females continues to rise during the past 40 years despite the stable or declining trends for most cancer types. Due to the tremendous advance in immunobiology and molecular biology, breakthroughs in both immunotherapies and molecular targeted therapies have recently revolutionized the standard of care for patients with advanced melanoma. In 2011, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ipilimumab, an anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) antibody for metastatic melanoma therapy. Since then, novel drugs including antibodies to programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab (both approved in 2014), selective BRAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib (approved in 2011), dabrafenib (approved in 2013); and MEK inhibitor trametinib (approved in 2013), have greatly extended the potential of immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy for advanced melanoma. All of which have been demonstrated a significant increase in overall survival rate, and long-term benefits in multiple large clinical trials. Several new agents and novel therapies are currently under phase III clinical trials with the hope of being approved in the near future. We already entered a golden era in oncology that are providing significant survival improvement. In the meantime, new challenges for clinicians also started to emerge. In this review, we presented the existing evidence for the newest treatments for advanced melanoma, including CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors and BRAF, MEK inhibitors. We also discussed the strengths, limitations and challenges of using these novel therapies, and potential solutions as well as highlighted the areas requiring further research.