Bullous disorders associated with anti-PD-1 and anti-PD-L1 therapy: A retrospective analysis evaluating the clinical and histopathologic features, frequency, and impact on cancer therapy

Authors

Jacob Siegel, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Mariam Totonchy, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
William Damsky, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Juliana Berk-Krauss, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Frank Castiglione, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Mario Sznol, Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.Follow
Daniel P. Petrylak, Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Urology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Neal Fischbach, Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.Follow
Sarah B. Goldberg, Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Roy H. Decker, Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Angeliki M. Stamatouli, Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Navid Hafez, Department of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Earl J. Glusac, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Mary M. Tomayko, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Jonathan S. Leventhal, Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut. Electronic address: jonathan.leventhal@yale.edu.Follow

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Bullous disorders associated with anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy are increasingly reported and may pose distinct therapeutic challenges. Their frequency and impact on cancer therapy are not well established. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic findings, frequency, and impact on cancer therapy of bullous eruptions due to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients evaluated by the oncodermatology clinic and consultative service of Yale New Haven Hospital from 2016 to 2018. RESULTS: We identified 9 of 853 patients who developed bullous eruptions (∼1%) that were treated with an-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy at our institution during the study period: 7 presented with bullous pemphigoid, 1 presented with bullous lichenoid dermatitis, and 1 presented with linear IgA bullous dermatosis in the context of vancomycin therapy. In all, 8 patients required systemic steroids, 5 required maintenance therapy, and 8 required interruption of immunotherapy. All 9 patients had an initial positive tumor response or stable disease, but 4 went on to develop disease progression. LIMITATIONS: This was a retrospective study from a single tertiary care center. CONCLUSIONS: Bullous disorders developed in approximately 1% of patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy at our institution and frequently resulted in interruption of immune therapy and management with systemic corticosteroids and occasionally steroid-sparing agents.

First Page

1081

Last Page

1088

DOI

10.1016/j.jaad.2018.07.008

Publication Date

12-1-2018

Identifier

30025829 (pubmed); 10.1016/j.jaad.2018.07.008 (doi); S0190-9622(18)32278-3 (pii)

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