Anti-PD-1-Related Exacerbation of Interstitial Lung Disease in a Patient with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Immunotherapy is standard first-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) either alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Despite significant benefits, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) can cause toxicities within any organ, termed immune related adverse events. Pneumonitis is a potentially life-threatening complication of ICIs. Currently, there are no established guidelines for use of ICIs in patients with underlying autoimmune or interstitial lung disease (ILD) and few studies have been published. We present a case of first-line ICI-chemotherapy in a patient with metastatic NSCLC and ILD who suffered treatment related lung toxicity and acute worsening ILD, which lead to his death.

Keywords:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)
• immunotherapy
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• interstitial lung disease (ILD)
• pneumonitis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.