ABSTRACT
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an aggressive tumor with high metastatic potential and most of cases are determined incidentally on radiologic imaging. Metastatic RCC (mRCC) without a primary is very rare, and only a small number of cases have been reported in the literature. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been used to treat mRCC, but they are associated with immune-related adverse events. Immune hepatitis is rare and usually observed within three months of initiation of therapy. Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have generally been excluded from immunotherapy trials, although a small number of reports and retrospective studies exist on the use of immunotherapy in patients with HBV infection. A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with mRCC with adrenal and liver metastases and vena cava inferior thrombosis but without evidence of a primary. Second-line therapy with nivolumab achieved a good clinical response, but grade IV immune-related hepatitis was observed after one year. He also had an occult HBV infection. However, HBV reactivation did not occur with continuous entecavir prophylaxis. The hepatitis gradually resolved within two months without any management, and the patient was rechallenged with nivolumab. Metastatic RCC rarely presents without a primary mass in the kidney. In such cases, histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics are critical. Nivolumab-induced immune hepatitis may occur as late as one year after initiation of therapy. Rechallenge of immunotherapy may be considered in selected patients. HBV infection is not a contraindication for immunotherapy, these patients can be treated safely with frequent monitoring and antiviral prophylaxis
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the safety of programmed death receptor (PD)-1 monoclonal antibody for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)recurrence after liver transplantation.Methods Clinical data of 1 case with acute immune hepatitis induced by PD-1 monoclonal antibody (pembrolizumab)therapy for recurrent HCC after liver transplantation was retrospectively analyzed.Results The patient who received liver transplantation for primary HCC was diagnosed with lung metastasis at 4 months after the transplantation,and treated with the pembrolizumab (1 50 mg intravenous infusion of once)at 1 2 months after transplantation.Liver dysfunction was found at 5 th d after treatment,and liver biopsy was conducted which showed pathological changes of mild to moderate acute rejection.It was diagnosed to be acute immune hepatitis based on the patient 's clinical manifestations,laboratory examination and pembrolizumab drug instructions.After adrenal cortical hormone and intensive immunosuppressive therapy,the patient was followed up for 8 months,which showed that the patient survived with tumor,but the liver function remained abnormal.Conclusions PD-1 monoclonal antibody and other immune checkpoint inhibitors are not suitable for the immunologic suppression after liver transplantation due to the risk of inducing immune hepatitis.