Ocular Inflammatory Complications of Treatment for Metastatic Melanoma

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To characterize various ocular inflammatory complications arising from metastatic cutaneous melanoma therapies and their management.

Methods

Retrospective case series of patients who were referred to a tertiary uveitis practice for ophthalmic exam All patients received targeted metastatic cutaneous melanoma treatment, including BRAF/MEK inhibitors and various immunotherapies.

Results

109 patients were identified, with 43 (39.4%) having 65 definitive instances of OIAE. Sixteen different OIAE were identified. Ipilimumab monotherapy and ipilimumab/nivolumab combination therapy were most commonly associated. Anterior uveitis was the most common OIAE (18/65, 27.7%). Thirty patients (69.8%) were managed with observation or topical steroid therapy. Only 4 patients required further therapies for OIAE, with one patient not attaining resolution.

Conclusions and Relevance

While a broad range of OIAE was identified, most were not vision-threatening and did not require discontinuation of the associated therapy.

Key Points

• Question: What is the scope of ocular inflammatory complications from metastatic melanoma therapies?

• Findings: In this retrospective chart review, 43 patients with definitive ocular inflammatory adverse effects(OIAE) were identified from 109 total patients on therapy for metastatic melanoma. Sixteen different OIAE were identified.

• Meaning: Ophthalmologists managing ocular complications from melanoma treatments should be aware of the broad, but usually mild, scope of possible complications.

KEYWORDS:

• BRAF
• immunotherapies
• MEK
• metastatic melanoma
• ocular inflammation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.