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Patterns of immunotherapy-induced pneumonitis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer: a case series

S. Picard, Desiree Goh, A. Tan, Nisha Sikotra, E. Gabbay, T. Clay

Journal of Medical Case Reports, 2021

12 citations

Abstract

Immunotherapy has become an efficacious option in the management of solid organ malignancies. Immune-related adverse events including pneumonitis are well described and may be particularly of concern in patients receiving immunotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer. In this paper, we describe three cases of immunotherapy-induced pneumonitis occurring in the management of lung malignancy. Our cases include a 54-year-old Caucasian woman with squamous cell lung cancer who was successfully rechallenged with immunotherapy after prior significant pneumonitis, a 65-year-old Caucasian man with metastatic squamous cell lung cancer who developed pneumonitis after multiple cycles of uneventful immunotherapy, and a 73-year-old Caucasian man with squamous cell lung cancer who developed early-onset pneumonitis with rebound on steroid taper. This case series has provided further insight into the presentation and risk factors for pneumonitis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Each of the cases of immunotherapy-induced pneumonitis illustrates the different potential patterns that may arise when immunotherapy-induced pneumonitis develops. This case series provides key learning points that may assist physicians managing non-small-cell lung cancer with immunotherapy.

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.

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