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Nivolumab‐related tracheobronchial chondritis: Extremely rare manifestation of an immune‐related adverse effect
Author(s) -
Kuba Kiyomi,
Nakahira Mitsuhiko,
Inoue Hitoshi,
Kogashiwa Yasunao,
Ebihara Yasuhiro,
Sugasawa Masashi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.26456
Subject(s) - chondritis , nivolumab , medicine , relapsing polychondritis , adverse effect , disease , squamous cell carcinoma of the lung , lung , cancer , dermatology , immunotherapy
Abstract Background Programmed death‐1 checkpoint inhibitors, such as nivolumab, have successfully been utilized for recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; however, their use may be associated with immune‐related adverse effects (irAEs). Methods We describe a case of tracheobronchial chondritis as a rare irAE in a 72‐year‐old man with multiple pulmonary metastases of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with nivolumab, who was seen with a 2‐week history of fever, nonproductive cough, and dyspnea. Results CT revealed a thickened tracheobronchial wall and narrowed intraluminal space resulting in respiratory symptoms, despite significant clinical response of the metastases. He was clinically diagnosed with tracheobronchial chondritis and treated successfully by steroid therapy. His diagnosis was confirmed by a positive serum anti‐collagen type 2 antibody test. Conclusions In addition to interstitial lung disease, tracheobronchial chondritis should be considered as a possible irAE in patients with acute respiratory symptoms after nivolumab administration.