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. 2022 Feb 2:25:101392.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101392. eCollection 2022 Mar.

Belantamab mafodotin associated corneal microcyst-like epithelial changes

Katherine Chuang  1 , Roberto Pineda  2 , Shaohui Liu  1
Affiliations

Belantamab mafodotin associated corneal microcyst-like epithelial changes

Katherine Chuang et al. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of bilateral corneal microcyst-like epithelial changes associated with belantamab mafodotin (belamaf) therapy.

Observations: A 70-year-old man with refractory multiple myeloma was placed on belamaf, a recently FDA-approved treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. He developed decreased visual acuity and bilateral corneal microcyst-like peripheral epithelial changes. Belamaf was withheld.Anterior segment OCT showed intra-epithelial opacities at various depths. After resolution of corneal changes and recovery of vision, belamaf was restarted. The patient underwent two additional treatments, each time with recurrence of diffuse microcyst-like corneal epithelial changes. It took a total of 8, 11.5 and 17 weeks after each respective infusion for the microcyst-like epithelial changes to resolve. This suggested a longer recovery time after each subsequent infusion.

Conclusions and importance: The care for patients on belamaf requires the collaboration of eye care providers and hematologists-oncologists to assess for ocular adverse effects and adjust treatment as necessary. Further study is needed to illustrate the mechanism of corneal microcyst-like epithelial changes and its effects on limbal stem cells.

Keywords: Belantamab mafodotin; Cornea; Drug adverse effects.

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Conflict of interest statement

The following authors have no financial disclosures: K·C., R.P. S.L. is an external consultant for GlaxoSmithKline LLC.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Belamaf-associated epithelial keratopathy. Slit lamp photos showed initial peripheral microcyst-like epithelial changes (arrow, 1A), which later assumed a patchy appearance in the central cornea (arrow, 1B). Anterior segment OCT showed intra-epithelial opacities at various depths (arrows, 1C).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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