Myocarditis and myasthenia gravis by combined nivolumab and ipilimumab immunotherapy for renal cell carcinoma: A case report of successful management

Abstract

Ipilimumab plus nivolumab (Ipi/Nivo) has revolutionized advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment. However, it encompassed fatal immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Myocarditis with concomitant myasthenia gravis (MG) has a mortality rate of 50%, and a high dose of methylprednisolone (mPSL) should be administered with careful attention to MG exacerbation. We present the case of a 59-year-old man with progressing lung metastasis of RCC. After one cycle of Ipi/Nivo, he experienced myocarditis and MG, managed by mPSL pulse therapy, plasma exchange, and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. We share the therapeutic course, aiming to contribute to the limited literature on rare but aggressive irAEs.

Keywords

• Ipilimumab
• Nivolumab
• Myocarditis
• Myasthenia gravis