TITLE:
Tuberculosis Infection in a Patient with Lung Cancer under PD-L1 Inhibition: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Eleni Papadaki, Manika Katerina, Boutis Anastasios, Kioumis Ioannis, Kontakiotis Theodoros
KEYWORDS:
Tuberculosis, Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Durvalumab, Immunotherapy, PD-L1
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Tuberculosis Research,
Vol.8 No.3,
August
20,
2020
ABSTRACT: Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have made a great novelty in the treatment
of various cancer types, showing favourable outcomes and good tolerance by
cancer patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors enhance and promote anti-tumor
immunity, which can result in a wide range of adverse events, termed as
immune-related adverse events, which are characterized by excessive immunity
response. Although immune related adverse events are not considered to be originated from infectious causes,
cases of cancer patients developing active tuberculosis during treatment with
immune checkpoint inhibitors have been reported. Aim: The aim of the
current case report is to highlight the importance of including opportunistic
infections, such as tuberculosis, in the differential diagnosis of
complications in the treatment of cancer patients receiving
immunotherapy. Case presentation: This case report
describes a 62-year-old Caucasian male patient who developed active pulmonary
tuberculosis after treatment with Durvalumab, an anti-programmed death cell
ligand-1 antibody, administered as therapy for non small cell lung cancer. The
diagnosis was challenging because of the fact that the clinical presentation
and the radiographic imaging were compatible with disease progression. Conclusion: Screening for active or latent tuberculosis should be part of everyday practice
before the initial administration of immunotherapy in oncologic patients.