Pembrolizumab-induced acute thrombosis: A case report
Rationale:
Acute thrombosis has not been reported in the literature so far in lung cancer patients as an immune-related adverse event (irAE) associated with PD-1 pathway inhibitors.
Patients concerns:
Here, we for the first time present two NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer) patients suffering from acute thrombosis as a pembrolizumab-induced irAE. Immediate treatment with continuous heparin infusion improved their symptoms and enabled them to continue pembrolizumab administration.
Methods:
Ethical approval was given by the ethics committee of Osaka International Cancer Institute and the informed consents were given by the patients.
Diagnosis:
Serum D-dimer level testing, venous ultrasonography, enhanced computed tomography (CT).
Interventions:
Continuous heparin infusion, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC).
Outcomes:
Immediate continuous heparin infusion improved their symptoms and continuing pembrolizumab with direct oral anticoagulant successfully induced tumor shrinkage.
Lessons:
Reinvigoration of exhausted T cells by pembrolizumab induced systemic inflammation possibly resulting in development of thrombosis. Although acute thrombosis is a rare irAE, it may lead to cessation of treatment and can be lethal.
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Research Article: Clinical Case Report Source Type: research
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