Fatal early-onset checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis in a patient with advanced squamous-cell lung cancer with underlying pulmonary fibrosis: a case report and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

We report a case of fulminant checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) occurring after a single dose of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in a patient with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and underlying fibrotic interstitial lung disease (ILD), illustrating a rare but clinically significant and often fatal immune-related adverse event.

Main symptoms and clinical findings

A 78-year-old woman with stage IVb squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) developed progressive dyspnea, hypoxemia, and systemic inflammation shortly after receiving her first dose of pembrolizumab. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) revealed new bilateral ground-glass opacities superimposed on a fibrotic background with a definite usual int

SUBMITTER: Keller DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12623183 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature