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Case Reports
. 2018 Feb 8:11:101-103.
doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2018.01.013. eCollection 2018.

Concomitant Human Herpes Virus 6 and nivolumab-related pneumonitis: Potential pathogenetic insights

Periklis G Foukas  1 , Sotirios Tsiodras  2 , Panagiota Economopoulou  3 , Aris Spathis  4 , Maria Mademli  5 , Konstantinos Leventakos  1 , Amanda Psyrri  3 , Petros Karakitsos  4 , Ioannis G Panayiotides  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Concomitant Human Herpes Virus 6 and nivolumab-related pneumonitis: Potential pathogenetic insights

Periklis G Foukas et al. IDCases. .

Abstract

The development of immune system modulating agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), has revolutionized cancer treatment. Nivolumab, a human monoclonal antibody against PD-1, has emerged as an efficient treatment for various malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, it is associated with important immune related side-effects, attributed to organ-specific inflammation, such as immune-mediated pneumonitis, a relatively uncommon, albeit potentially fatal adverse event. We herein present the unique case of severe interstitial pneumonitis with concomitant detection of Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV-6) in a nivolumab treated patient with NSCLC. Potential pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

Keywords: Human Herpesvirus 6; Immunotherapy; Lung cancer; Nivolumab.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Nivolumab treatment timeline.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pulmonary fibrosis with focal lymphoplasmacytic chronic inflammation, suggestive of nivolumab-related pneumonitis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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