Laryngeal Tuberculosis in a Patient on Avelumab for Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

J Immunother. 2020 Sep;43(7):222-223. doi: 10.1097/CJI.0000000000000324.

Abstract

Increasing numbers of head and neck cancer patients are placed on immune checkpoint inhibitors for indications such as recurrent and metastatic disease. There is a theoretical increased risk of contracting and reactivation of tuberculosis (TB) with programmed cell death-1 blockade due to potentiation of type 1 T helper response and increased production of interferon-gamma. This is a potentially life-threatening complication of therapy and requires expedient diagnosis and treatment. We present a case of a patient with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with avelumab, a programmed cell death-ligand 1 inhibitor with resulting laryngeal TB as the presenting symptom of reactivated TB. The patient required quadruple anti-TB therapy, but developed ongoing sequelae of laryngeal TB, including dysphagia and laryngeal stenosis. Ongoing trials are examining the use of avelumab in head and neck cancer patients with locally advanced disease, recurrent, or metastatic disease. Awareness of the risk of new and reactivated TB is crucial.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Disease Management
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / complications*
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / drug therapy
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Tuberculosis, Laryngeal / diagnosis*
  • Tuberculosis, Laryngeal / etiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
  • avelumab