AIHA and Pancytopenia as Complications of Pembrolizumab Therapy for Metastatic Melanoma: A Case Report

In this report, we present a case of pembrolizumab-induced autoimmune hemolytic anemia and pancytopenia in a patient who was receiving pembrolizumab treatment for metastatic melanoma. This patient has a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in 2017. He developed symptomatic AIHA and pancytopenia after receiving 8 cycles of pembrolizumab in 2018. Pembrolizumab treatment was discontinued and he was treated with blood transfusion and prednisone. After 5 months of tapering prednisone treatment, his anemia and pancytopenia have improved toward successful recovery. Cancer patients already face an increased risk of immunosuppression with conventional chemotherapy. This case report also summarized all reported cases of PD-1 inhibitor hematological adverse effects in the treatment of oncological diseases. These incidents reflect the risk of immune-mediated hematologic adverse effects, which should be considered in all patients using immunotherapy.Case Rep Oncol 2019;12:456 –465
Source: Case Reports in Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research