- Immunotherapy drugs
- called immune checkpoint inhibitors
- block checkpoint proteins from binding with their partner proteins.
- preventing “off” signal from being sent,
- enabling T cells to kill cancer cells.
- Complications
- Pneumonitis
- Sarcoid like granulomatosis
- Pulmonary Hemorrhage
- PE
- Pleural Effusion
- Pneumothorax
-
Pneumonitis
- wide spectrum
- AIP acute interstitial pneumonia/ARDS pattern
- diffuse ground-glass opacities (GGOs),
- consolidation, and
- lung volume loss
- COP – cryptogenic organizing pneumonia
-
- multifocal consolidation and GGOs in a predominantly peripheral distribution
-
- HP -hypersensitivity pneumonitis patterns.
-
- diffuse GGOs and
- centrilobular nodularities
- air trapping
-
- NSIP nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern,
- subtle GGOs
- peripheral and
- basilar (Fig 4); these patients were often successfully treated with corticosteroid therapy on an outpatient basis, and some were able to restart PD-1 inhibitor therapy without recurrent pneumonitis (7,22). Additional radiologic patterns were also noted in subsequent reports, including
- subtle GGOs
- AIP acute interstitial pneumonia/ARDS pattern
- wide spectrum
AIP/ARDS Pattern
Pneumonitis in a 65-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after three cycles of rituximab with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone (R-CHOP) therapy who presented with new shortness of breath. Axial CT image shows bilateral diffuse GGOs and areas of consolidation in both lungs, with traction bronchiectasis and loss of lung volumes. The findings reflect an AIP/ARDS pattern of pneumonitis related to rituximab. Bilateral pleural effusions were also present. The patient’s condition significantly deteriorated, and he died 1 month after presentation. Autopsy results showed diffuse alveolar damage in the lungs.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
PD-1 inhibitor pneumonitis: COP pattern in a 69-year-old man with advanced NSCLC who was treated with nivolumab. At 6 months of therapy, the patient presented with increased shortness of breath and cough, without fever. Axial chest CT image shows multifocal areas of consolidation and GGOs in a predominantly peripheral and basilar distribution (arrows), representing a COP pattern of PD-1 inhibitor–related pneumonitis. Bronchial dilatation was noted within the areas of consolidation. Nivolumab was withheld, and the patient was treated with corticosteroids, with subsequent improvement.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
a- PD-1 inhibitor pneumonitis: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern in a 68-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who was treated with nivolumab and presented with a new cough at 6 months of therapy. (a) Axial chest CT image shows new multifocal GGOs in a centrilobular distribution throughout both lungs and mosaic attenuation, findings that represent pneumonitis with a hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern. Nivolumab therapy was withheld, and the patient underwent corticosteroid therapy.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
COP Pattern
a
PD-1 inhibitor pneumonitis flare in a 72-year-old man with stage IV squamous NSCLC who was treated with nivolumab and presented with progressive dyspnea with cough and wheezing but no fever. (a) Axial chest CT image at 15 weeks of therapy demonstrates multifocal areas of GGOs, reticular opacities, and consolidation (arrows) involving all lobes, as well as centrilobular nodularity and traction bronchiectasis in a predominantly peripheral distribution. The overall features demonstrate a COP pattern. The patient was treated with prednisone for pneumonitis.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
Pneumonitis in a 66-year-old woman with Waldenström macroglobulinemia treated with mTOR inhibitor therapy. Axial CT image at 6 months of therapy shows consolidation, GGOs, and reticular opacities (arrows) that represent a COP pattern.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
Pneumonitis in a 66-year-old woman with Waldenström macroglobulinemia treated with mTOR inhibitor therapy. Axial CT image at 6 months of therapy shows consolidation, GGOs, and reticular opacities (arrows) that represent a COP pattern.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
ALK inhibitor–related pneumonitis in a 55-year-old woman with ALK-positive stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patient experienced disease progression while taking a first-generation ALK inhibitor (crizotinib) and was then treated with a second-generation ALK inhibitor (ceritinib). She presented with an increasing dry cough and dyspnea at 7 months of ceritinib therapy. (a, b) Axial (a) and coronal (b) CT images show biapical consolidation and GGOs in both upper lobes (arrows) in a striking peripheral distribution, indicative of a COP pattern.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
ALK inhibitor–related pneumonitis in a 55-year-old woman with ALK-positive stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung. The patient experienced disease progression while taking a first-generation ALK inhibitor (crizotinib) and was then treated with a second-generation ALK inhibitor (ceritinib). She presented with an increasing dry cough and dyspnea at 7 months of ceritinib therapy. (a, b) Axial (a) and coronal (b) CT images show biapical consolidation and GGOs in both upper lobes (arrows) in a striking peripheral distribution, indicative of a COP pattern.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
c
(c, d) Photomicrographs from transbronchial lung biopsy specimen show organizing interstitial pneumonia characterized by alveolar interstitial widening by lymphocytic infiltrates, increased extracellular matrix material, reactive pneumocyte hyperplasia, scattered eosinophils (arrow in d), and numerous airspace foamy macrophages. There was no evidence of tumor in the biopsy specimen. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, ×200 in c, ×400 in d.)
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
d
(c, d) Photomicrographs from transbronchial lung biopsy specimen show organizing interstitial pneumonia characterized by alveolar interstitial widening by lymphocytic infiltrates, increased extracellular matrix material, reactive pneumocyte hyperplasia, scattered eosinophils (arrow in d), and numerous airspace foamy macrophages. There was no evidence of tumor in the biopsy specimen. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, ×200 in c, ×400 in d.)
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Pattern
a- PD-1 inhibitor pneumonitis: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern in a 68-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who was treated with nivolumab and presented with a new cough at 6 months of therapy. (a) Axial chest CT image shows new multifocal GGOs in a centrilobular distribution throughout both lungs and mosaic attenuation, findings that represent pneumonitis with a hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern. Nivolumab therapy was withheld, and the patient underwent corticosteroid therapy.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
b
Axial follow-up CT image obtained after 1 month of corticosteroid therapy shows marked improvement of pneumonitis and resolution of GGOs. Nivolumab continued to be withheld, and corticosteroid therapy was tapered. At 1.5 months after completing the corticosteroid taper, without restarting nivolumab or any other systemic therapy, the patient experienced a worsening cough.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care RadioGraphicsVol. 37, No. 5
c
Axial chest CT image shows development of diffuse GGOs with areas of air trapping, findings indicative of pneumonitis with a hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern. The radiographic pattern of this second episode is similar to that noted in the initial episode and represents pneumonitis flare.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Pneumonitis in a 62-year-old woman with advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor treated with everolimus and temozolomide. Axial CT image obtained at 10.3 months of therapy shows diffuse bilateral GGOs and reticular opacities that are indicative of a hypersensitivity pneumonitis pattern. The patient had mild shortness of breath and was treated with prednisone.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Pneumonitis in a 42-year-old man with an EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation who was treated with erlotinib in the United States. Axial chest CT images (b obtained at a lower level than a) obtained at 8 weeks of therapy show multifocal areas of GGOs in both lungs, findings that represent pneumonitis. Note the absence of traction bronchiectasis or volume loss.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Pneumonitis in a 42-year-old man with an EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation who was treated with erlotinib in the United States. Axial chest CT images (b obtained at a lower level than a) obtained at 8 weeks of therapy show multifocal areas of GGOs in both lungs, findings that represent pneumonitis. Note the absence of traction bronchiectasis or volume loss.
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Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphic Vol. 37, No. 5
NSIP Pattern
PD-1 inhibitor pneumonitis: NSIP pattern in a 58-year-old man with advanced melanoma who was treated with nivolumab. Axial chest CT image obtained at 7 weeks of therapy shows GGOs and reticular opacities in a subpleural distribution, representing an NSIP pattern of PD-1 inhibitor pneumonitis. * = metastatic lesion in the lung.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Pneumonitis
Pneumonitis in a 71-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with temsirolimus. Axial CT image at 4 weeks of therapy shows multifocal GGOs and reticular opacities in a predominantly peripheral and basilar distribution (arrows), findings that represent mTOR inhibitor–related pneumonitis. The patient was symptomatic and was switched to an alternate therapy.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Sarcoid Like Pattern
a)
Sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy in an asymptomatic 81-year-old man with metastatic melanoma treated with ipilimumab. (a) Coronal contrast-enhanced reformatted chest CT image obtained 4.9 months after the initiation of ipilimumab therapy shows new bilateral symmetric mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy (arrows) resembling findings of sarcoidosis.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
ial CT image shows bilateral irregular and nodular parenchymal opacities (arrows) with upper- and middle-lung predominance and peribronchovascular involvement. The findings fall in the spectrum of lung parenchymal manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis. (Figure reprinted from reference 16.)
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Sarcoid-like granulomatosis of the lung in an asymptomatic 75-year-old man with metastatic melanoma treated with pembrolizumab. (a) Axial CT image shows a parenchymal conglomerate opacity in the right lower lobe of the lung (arrow), which had been gradually increasing over time on serial scans obtained during therapy. Note that the patient had a previous left pneumonectomy.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Photomicrograph of specimen from a lung core biopsy of the right lower lobe lesion shows a sarcoid-like reaction characterized by interstitial nonnecrotizing granulomas (arrows) with associated lymphocytic infiltrates. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, ×200.). Gram, silver, and acid-fast bacilli stains (not shown) were negative for microorganisms.
Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5
Links and References
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Nishino, M et al Thoracic Complications of Precision Cancer Therapies: A Practical Guide for Radiologists in the New Era of Cancer Care Radio Graphics Vol. 37, No. 5