Sudden Otovestibular Dysfunction in 3 Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

Stürmer, Suzan H.; Lechner, Axel and Berking, Carola (2021): Sudden Otovestibular Dysfunction in 3 Metastatic Melanoma Patients Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. In: Journal of Immunotherapy, Vol. 44, No. 5: pp. 193-197

Abstract

Immune-related adverse events have been described in 86%-96% of high-risk melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), while in 17%-59% of cases these are classified as severe or even life-threatening. The most common immune-related adverse events include diarrhea, fatigue, hypothyroidism, and hepatitis. Bilateral uveitis and unspecific vertigo have been described in 1% of cases, respectively, in the pivotal studies of ICIs, but the affection of the vestibule-cochlear system has not been reported before. In this case series, we present 3-stage IV melanoma patients with sudden onset of otovestibular dysfunction (hearing loss and vestibulopathy), partly combined with uveitis because of ICIs. We describe detailed diagnostic work-up and therapeutic interventions and discuss possible pathogenic mechanisms of this rare and disabling event.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1524-9557
• Language: English