Title
A Case of Acquired Generalized Lipodystrophy Associated with Pembrolizumab in a Patient with Metastatic Malignant Melanoma
Date Issued
01 January 2020
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Baylor College of Medicine
Publisher(s)
Elsevier B.V.
Abstract
Objective: To describe an unusual immune-related adverse event (irAE), acquired generalized lipodystrophy (AGL), from checkpoint inhibitor therapy in a patient treated with pembrolizumab. Methods: This is a case report of a 67-year-old male with metastatic melanoma who was treated with pembrolizumab. Prior to pembrolizumab, the patient was treated with another immune-checkpoint inhibitor and developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia. After starting pembrolizumab, he developed a scrotal mass consistent with panniculitis and after several subsequent cycles, he developed AGL. Results: Loss of subcutaneous fat, unexplained weight loss in combination with worsening insulin resistance and worsening hypertriglyceridemia after initiation of pembrolizumab were consistent with AGL. Autoimmune disorders and other etiologies were ruled out. Despite this irAE, the patient continued to receive pembrolizumab given stabilization of melanoma with treatment. Conclusion: We report the second case of a patient who developed AGL secondary to pembrolizumab, and the fourth case to report such complication secondary to antiprogrammed cell death receptor-1 inhibitors. As use of checkpoint inhibitors becomes more common to treat several types of cancer, it is vital for clinicians to recognize these rare irreversible complications that are not frequently reported in clinical trials.
Start page
e40
End page
e45
Volume
6
Issue
1
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Medicina clínica
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85086169321
Source
AACE Clinical Case Reports
ISSN of the container
23760605
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus