Follicular lymphoma generating in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer following nivolumab discontinuation

J Oncol Pharm Pract. 2020 Dec;26(8):2042-2046. doi: 10.1177/1078155220918627. Epub 2020 Apr 16.

Abstract

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated the benefit for many cancer types, melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, urothelial cancer, renal cell cancer, etc. Especially in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, significant improvement in survival results has been shown.

Case report: Here, we report a 66-year-old man with lung adenocarcinoma who received nivolumab for 80 cycles.Management and Outcome: Two months after discontinuing nivolumab, he developed follicular lymphoma. Pneumonitis was also accompanied, which was treated with metilprednisolon, but he died due to progressive respiratory failure.

Discussion: Our clinical knowledge with checkpoint inhibitors is increasing day by day, and to the best of our knowledge, this paper presents the first case in the English literature who developed follicular lymphoma after discontinuing nivolumab in non-small cell lung cancer patient.

Keywords: Follicular lymphoma; nivolumab; non-small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lymphoma, Follicular / chemically induced*
  • Male
  • Nivolumab / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • Nivolumab