Sudden hearing loss in a melanoma patient on pembrolizumab: an etiology not to be omitted in the differential diagnosis.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have emerged as a promising therapeutic option for metastatic cancers. However, they have been associated with inflammatory adverse reactions in various organ systems. A recent article reported a case of sudden bilateral hearing loss that occurred in a patient with metastatic melanoma being treated with pembrolizumab. The authors attributed that complication to an autoimmune reaction secondary to the treatment. This commentary discusses the importance of considering the diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastasis in patients with metastatic melanoma who present with new cranial nerve deficits.
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Unit 1445, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 USA.
Marc-Elie
0000-0001-9295-0174
ME
Nader
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Unit 1445, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 USA.
Jeffrey N
JN
Myers
Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Unit 1445, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030 USA.
Paul W
PW
Gidley
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology
D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; C582435:pembrolizumab
Hearing loss; Immune checkpoint inhibitor; Leptomeningeal metastasis; Melanoma; Pembrolizumab