Checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis and myasthenia gravis in a recurrent/metastatic thymic carcinoma patient: a case report.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI), is an IgG4 antibody that blocks interaction between programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death-ligand 1. Myocarditis, an immune-related adverse event, has been reported in thymic epithelial tumours. Pembrolizumab has also been associated with development/exacerbation of myasthenia gravis (MG).

Case summary

A 70-year-old woman with metastatic thymic cancer presented to the hospital with shortness of breath, 21 days after initiation of pembrolizumab. She was diagnosed with ICI-related myocarditis and was subsequently intubated due to respiratory failure. A dual-chamber pacemaker was placed due to complete heart block with asystole. Her troponin levels were elevated, an electrocardiogram was suspicious fo

SUBMITTER: Szuchan C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7319805 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature