Pneumonitis in Irradiated Lungs After Nivolumab: A Brief Communication and Review of the Literature

Manapov, Farkhad; Roengvoraphoj, Olarn; Dantes, Maurice; Marschner, Sebastian; Li, Minglun and Eze, Chukwuka (2018): Pneumonitis in Irradiated Lungs After Nivolumab: A Brief Communication and Review of the Literature. In: Journal of Immunotherapy, Vol. 41, No. 2: pp. 96-99

Abstract

Nivolumab is a feasible therapy option in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who progress on first-line treatment. However, there is limited information about an overlapping toxicity of PD-1 inhibitors when administered following thoracic radiotherapy (TRT). Three of 25 patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with palliative or curative intent. Nivolumab was initiated as second or third-line therapy after TRT for recurrent or progressive disease. All 3 patients developed grade 3 pneumonitis at some point during nivolumab therapy. Herein, we describe 3 cases of pneumonitis in patients with NSCLC started on nivolumab following TRT. Imaging analysis was strongly consistent with heterogenous lung parenchyma changes in the irradiated lung volume receiving a total dose of 15-20Gy. Pulmonary toxicity was manageable;however, interruption of immunotherapy was necessary.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 1524-9557
• Alliance/National Licence: This publication is with permission of the rights owner freely accessible due to an Alliance licence and a national licence (funded by the DFG, German Research Foundation) respectively.
• Language: English