UNASSIGNED: Rare but severe, immune-related adverse events such as myositis and sclerosing cholangitis can occur with immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung cancer treatment. This case report highlights their co-occurrence after pembrolizumab treatment, indicating the need for vigilance and management strategies in immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy.
UNASSIGNED: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are used in advanced treatment of lung cancer but can lead to immune-related adverse events. ICI-related myositis and cholangitis are rare, and their combination has not been previously reported. Here, we report the first case of ICI-related myositis and sclerosing cholangitis. A patient with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma who received one cycle of pembrolizumab with cisplatin and pemetrexed developed myositis. Treatment with prednisolone improved the myositis, but the patient subsequently developed cholangitis. The patient did not respond to a regimen of prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine, and eventually died due to worsening lung cancer. An autopsy confirmed the presence of ICI-related myositis and sclerosing cholangitis.

No published studies have investigated the correlation between religiosity, spirituality, mental health, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) or systemic autoimmune myopathy. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between religiosity/spirituality, sociodemographic factors, and the mental health of IIM patients. This is a multicenter case-control study that included 151 patients with IIMs and 95 individuals without autoimmune diseases (controls), held between August 2022 and April 2023. This study used a semi-structured questionnaire that included sociodemographic information and the juxtaposition of the following questionnaires: the Attitudes Related to Spirituality Scale (ARES); the Duke University Religion Index (DUKE), which is composed of the organizational religious affiliation (ORA), non-organizational religious affiliation (NORA), and intrinsic religiosity (IR) domains; and the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). Data were analyzed using Epi Info software 7.2.5 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA). A comparison between the mean values of the ARES, DUKE, and GHQ-12 scales was made using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. A logistic regression test was used with the variables whose difference was statistically significant in the univariate analysis. Correlation analysis was performed using the Spearman rho coefficient. A higher prevalence of evangelicals and a lower prevalence of Catholics (p < 0.050) were seen in the IIM group compared to controls. Positive association was demonstrated between IIMs and the pardo ethnicity (OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.20-4.25, p = 0.011), highest ORA (OR = 2.81, 95% CI = 1.53-5.15, p < 0.001), NORA (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.94-8·18, p < 0.001), IR (OR = 5.27, 95% CI = 2.32-11.97, p < 0.001), and ARES values (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.04-1.13, p < 0.001). Mental health levels were compared between the groups (p > 0.999). Therefore, higher levels of religiosity and spirituality were observed in the IIM group than in the control group, but there was a similar distribution of mental health levels. The following can be cited as advantages of the present study: (i) the large sample for a rare disease with the presence of a control group; (ii) the multicenter characteristic with participation from three regions of Brazil; (iii) being the first study to map aspects of religiosity, spirituality, and mental health in IIMs.

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UNASSIGNED: Immune checkpoint inhibitors can rarely lead to occurrence of myositis, myocarditis, and myasthenia gravis (MG). Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are crucial for optimal outcomes. Vigilance for overlapping toxicities is essential in patients receiving combination immunotherapy.
UNASSIGNED: The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment, but it is associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) affecting various organ systems. The simultaneous occurrence of MG, myocarditis, and myositis highlights the complex nature of IRAEs. Early recognition and comprehensive multidisciplinary management are crucial for optimal patient outcomes. We present a unique case report of a 76-year-old male patient with advanced melanoma who developed concurrent myositis, myocarditis, and MG while receiving combination immunotherapy with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. This case underscores the significance of recognizing and addressing the \"Terrible Triad\" of IRAEs in patients receiving ICIs. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for overlapping toxicities and promptly initiate appropriate interventions.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a relatively new advancement in the world of cancer therapy. As such, their adverse effects have yet to be fully understood, with only recent literature documenting autoimmune phenomena secondary to their utilization. Specific immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been linked with the development of myasthenia gravis, which is classically known to manifest spontaneously in patients. Given the relative rarity of this presentation, the risk of misdiagnosis and subsequent mortality and morbidity is concerning.
METHODS: We discuss the case of a 73-year-old male who presented with clinical symptoms of myasthenia gravis and myositis shortly after beginning treatment with Pembrolizumab. The diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was initially missed at an outside hospital, which delayed initiation of proper treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: While the incidence of \"de-novo\" diseases secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors might be increasing, guidelines regarding best treatment options do not yet exist, leaving many providers at a loss when faced with making clinical decisions surrounding patients with De novo myasthenia gravis. Thus, our goal is to underscore the importance of early recognition of this disease, and emphasize the need for a standard of care as immune checkpoint inhibitors usage becomes more prevalent.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have emerged to the forefront of management for various advanced cancers, such as melanoma, lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma. Immune checkpoints such as CTLA-4 and PD-1 serve to inhibit T cell activation and signaling; therefore through blockade of these pathways, ICIs promote anti-tumour immune activation. However, as a result of T cell disinhibition, ICIs have been reported to cause immune related adverse events (irAEs) affecting numerous organ systems. One of the most serious and potentially life-threatening irAE is inflammatory myositis. Myositis, which generally presents with progressive proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase (CK), has been reported in <1% of patients who have received ICI therapy. A rare cause of elevated CK is adrenal insufficiency, which has been reported in up to 6% of ICI users. Here we report a case of ICI-related hypophysitis related myopathy that was initially misdiagnosed as ICI-associated inflammatory myositis. This case illustrates the importance of considering a wide differential when assessing hyperCKemia in the setting of ICI use.

The patient presented to the clinic with painful muscle swelling in the right lower extremity, which improved with immunosuppressive therapy. Initially, the condition was diagnosed as polymyositis but recurred soon after. After imaging and biopsy, the final diagnosis was primary skeletal muscle peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PSM-PTCL, NOS). In this report, we discuss the challenges in diagnosing and treating this aggressive malignancy and review the literature on PSM-PTCL, NOS. Key Points • To date, there are few reports of PSM-PTCL, NOS, and our case is the tenth. • It is crucial to consider PSM-PTCL, NOS, when presenting with localized muscle edema and unexplained pain. • Histopathological examination is likely the most effective method for diagnosing this rare disease.

Despite ocular adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitors being uncommon, they are still important complications to be aware of. We present the case of metastatic melanoma on ipilimumab/nivolumab in a patient who developed immunotherapy complications with delayed diagnosis because the only presenting symptom was unilateral ptosis. We reviewed the literature for relevant and important ocular and neurological complications of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

A previously fit and well 38-year-old man presented during the COVID-19 pandemic with dyspnoea, cough and palpitations. C-reactive protein was elevated and chest X-ray demonstrated bilateral lower zone consolidation. SARS CoV-2 swab was negative. He was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and treated with oral antibiotics. He developed severe type 1 respiratory failure and was admitted to the high-dependency unit for non-invasive ventilation. CTPA was negative for pulmonary embolism, instead demonstrating bilateral organising pneumonia. Empirical treatment for swab-negative COVID-19 pneumonitis was started; however, further deterioration ensued and prompted intubation and ventilation. Microbiological testing did not yield any positive results, thereby raising suspicion for the presence of an autoimmune disease. Pulsed intravenous methylprednisolone was administered with good effect. ENA screen was positive for anti-Jo1 and myositis-specific autoantibodies were positive for Ro-52, Ku and PL-12. The patient was extubated and did not exhibit any muscle weakness on clinical examination. Creatine kinase was only mildly elevated. He was diagnosed with amyopathic antisynthetase syndrome - frequently considered as a form of idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) - and treated with further intravenous methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Oxygen therapy was gradually weaned and the patient discharged on mycophenolate mofetil and a weaning course of oral steroids.

Brucellosis remains an endemic zoonosis in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, owing to the high consumption of raw meat and unpasteurized cheese. In this report, we present the case of a twenty-one-year-old girl who was diagnosed with brucellosis during the investigation of persistent fever and night sweats that was confirmed by an elevated Brucella agglutination titer at 1/160 for Brucella melitensis species, and an indirect Coombs at 1/1280. Unfortunately, owing to non-adherence to the antibiotic regimen prescribed, her condition progressed, resulting in piriformis myositis with sacroiliitis, an unusual complication of brucellosis. Resolution occurred following a treatment regimen comprising intravenous gentamycin 5mg/kg daily for two weeks along with rifampin 300mg TID, and doxycycline 100mg BID for 12 weeks. Furthermore, we conducted a literature review, which revealed the diagnostic and imaging criteria for this uncommon complication to be still unclear, as well as the lack of universally approved guidelines for its treatment. Brucella - myositis should be suspected when patients present with fever and back pain.