Sarcoid-like reaction in a BRAF V600E-mutated metastatic melanoma patient during treatment with BRAF/MEK-targeted therapy

We describe a 48-year-old female patient who initially presented with solitary brain metastasis and diffuse lung lesions. She was treated with D/T to which she had an initial response in all lesions. One year later, new hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathies were detected. Imaging was suggestive of the sarcoid-like syndrome. An endoscopic biopsy of the enlarged lymph node showed no melanoma cells. Treatment was continued. Three months later, the patient experienced a drop in hemoglobin, which prompted further investigations into possible occult intestinal metastasis. Video capsule examination revealed a metastatic lesion in the small intestine. A treatment switch to the combination of checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab and ipilimumab successfully treated both lung and small intestine lesions. After the third dose of this combination therapy, she developed an immune-related pneumonitis. Treatment with corticosteroids resolved the pneumonitis and decreased metabolism in the sarcoid-like syndrome. The treatment was not restarted afterward. She remains free of the disease up to today, 2.5 years after diagnosis.
Source: Melanoma Research - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Short Communication: Clinical Research Source Type: research