Safe Use of Nivolumab in a Patient with Epipharyngeal Carcinoma and Preexisting Ulcerative Colitis: A Histologically Proven Case Report

Yasuki Hijikata; Yasuo Matsubara; Yasunori Ota; Lay Ahyoung Lim; Kenzaburo Tani; Yoshihiro Hirata; Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.3901-19

CASE REPORTS

Safe Use of Nivolumab in a Patient with Epipharyngeal Carcinoma and Preexisting Ulcerative Colitis: A Histologically Proven Case Report

Yasuki Hijikata, Yasuo Matsubara, Yasunori Ota, Lay Ahyoung Lim, Kenzaburo Tani, Yoshihiro Hirata, Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi

Author information

Yasuki Hijikata
Department of General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Yasuo Matsubara
Department of General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Yasunori Ota
Department of Diagnostic Pathology, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Lay Ahyoung Lim
Department of General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Kenzaburo Tani
Department of General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Yoshihiro Hirata
Department of General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan
Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi
Department of General Medicine, IMSUT Hospital of The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Keywords: anti-PD-1 antibody, nivolumab, ulcerative colitis, immune-related adverse event (irAE), 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2020 Volume 59 Issue 8 Pages 1105-1109

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.3901-19

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Abstract

Nivolumab, an antibody against human programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), enhances pre-existing immune responses and has antitumor activity. However, it may also cause undesirable immune-related adverse events (irAEs), such as anti-PD-1-related colitis. In addition, Nivolumab can worsen pre-existing autoimmune diseases. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon. Its exact cause is unknown, but it may involve the dysregulation of the mucosal immune response. Thus, it is of great interest whether nivolumab can affect UC activity. This is the first report of a patient with epipharyngeal carcinoma and ulcerative colitis who was confirmed to have been safely treated with nivolumab based on autopsy findings.

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