Durvalumab-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia in Patients with Advanced Cholangiocarcinoma Undergoing Yttrium-90 Radioembolization

Abstract

Introduction: Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) secondary to durvalumab, a programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitor, is a rare but clinically significant immune-related adverse event. Herein, we present 2 patients with cholangiocarcinoma who developed ITP immediately post-yttrium-90 radioembolization (Y90-RE) while on durvalumab-based systemic therapy. We hypothesize that given the timing, the immunotherapy and the radioembolization combination led to this event. It is not uncommon given the approval of immunotherapy and its role in locoregional therapies, that patients are treated with a combination of systemic immunotherapy and radioembolization or other forms of radiation, thus signifying the importance of potential complications. Case Presentation: Two patients, a 67-year-old female and a 60-year-old man, with biopsy-proven advanced unresectable cholangiocarcinoma, received a combination of systemic therapy with durvalumab, gemcitabine, and cisplatin and subsequently Y90-RE. Both patients developed ITP following in the immediate post-Y90-RE period. All other causes of ITP were comprehensively ruled out and treatment for ITP was initiated in the form of high-dose steroid and intravenous immunoglobulins. Durvalumab was discontinued, and only gemcitabine/cisplatin-based chemotherapy was continued thereafter. Due to recurrence, one of the patients required longer courses of steroids as well as thrombopoietin receptor agonists. Conclusion: Immunotherapy in the form of durvalumab and now pembrolizumab alongside chemotherapy is an approved first-line standard of care. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for patients to receive Y90-RE to improve patient outcomes. This report highlights the development of ITP in 2 patients who received durvalumab alongside Y90-RE. Awareness of this as a potential immune-mediated event is important to allow for close monitoring of platelet counts and for early intervention/management when this occurs.

Keywords

• cholangiocarcinoma
• durvalumab
• immune thrombocytopenia
• yttrium-90