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Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced sarcoidosis-like granulomas

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International Journal of Clinical Oncology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 and programmed cell death-1 receptors have transformed the treatment of melanoma and other cancers. These therapies are associated with a number of side effects, including immune-related adverse events. Sarcoidosis-like granulomas (SLGs) are important immune checkpoint inhibitor-related reactions to recognize as SLGs can mimic disease progression and accordingly impact treatment decisions. We systematically review reports of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced SLGs in cancer patients and discuss potential underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

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Abbreviations

BAL:

Bronchoalveolar lavage

CTLA-4:

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4

IFN-γ:

Interferon gamma

IL:

Interleukin

iRAEs:

Immune-related adverse events

NR:

Not reported

PD-1:

Programmed death-1

SLG:

Sarcoidosis-like granuloma

TCR:

T-cell receptor

Th-1:

T helper-1

Th-17:

T helper-17

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor alpha

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Funding

This study was funded by the Char and Chuck Fowler Foundation, RES119774.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA

    Pooja H. Rambhia, Barbara Reichert, Jeffrey F. Scott, Ashley N. Feneran, Kord Honda & Meg R. Gerstenblith

  2. Pulmonary/Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Jordan A. Kazakov

  3. Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Kord Honda, Henry Koon & Meg R. Gerstenblith

  4. Department of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology Division, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center/Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Henry Koon

Authors
  1. Pooja H. Rambhia
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  2. Barbara Reichert
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  3. Jeffrey F. Scott
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  4. Ashley N. Feneran
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  5. Jordan A. Kazakov
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  6. Kord Honda
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  7. Henry Koon
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  8. Meg R. Gerstenblith
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meg R. Gerstenblith.

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Conflict of interest

Author PHR declares that she has no conflict of interest. Author BR declares that she has no conflict of interest. Author JFS declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author ANF declares that she has no conflict of interest. Author JAK declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author KH declares that he has no conflict of interest. Author HK owns stock in Company BMS. Author MRG has received research grants from the Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation.

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Rambhia, P.H., Reichert, B., Scott, J.F. et al. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced sarcoidosis-like granulomas. Int J Clin Oncol 24, 1171–1181 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-019-01490-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-019-01490-2

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