Febrile Neutropenia in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated with the Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor Nivolumab

Am J Case Rep. 2020 Feb 4:21:e920809. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.920809.

Abstract

<strong>BACKGROUND</strong> Nivolumab is a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody against human programmed cell death 1 (PD-1). It has demonstrated efficacy against metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Treatment with nivolumab is sometimes associated with immune-related adverse events (ir AEs) in patients. These specific ir AEs include pneumonitis, hypothyroidism, dermatitis, enterocolitis, hepatitis, and neuropathy. However, hematological toxicity is rare. <strong>CASE REPORT</strong> A 57-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma, with brain and adrenal gland metastases, was therefore started on nivolumab therapy as third-line treatment. After administration of the second dose with nivolumab, grade 3 febrile neutropenia (FN) and grade 2 liver dysfunction developed in the patient. The patient was started to on intravenous antibiotics, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and corticosteroids. Neutrophil counts and liver function gradually improved, and corticosteroids were tapered over 6 weeks. However, the patient was re-treated with G-CSF because the neutrophil counts decreased again. <strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong> Care needs to be taken with such patients because neutropenia due to treatment with nivolumab can recur, as well as other ir AEs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung / drug therapy*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / secondary
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects*
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Febrile Neutropenia / chemically induced*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases / therapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Middle Aged
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects*
  • Prednisolone / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Nivolumab
  • Prednisolone
  • Methylprednisolone