Safe use of nivolumab in a patient with renal cell carcinoma and hepatitis B. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akar, Emre; Baytekin, Halil F; Deniz, Hatice; Tural, Deniz
• Is Part Of: Journal of oncology pharmacy practice. Volume 26:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 1022
• Page End: 1024
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Hepatitis B -- hepatitis reactivation -- nivolumab -- renal cell carcinoma; Cancer -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Clinical pharmacology -- Periodicals; 616.994061
• DOI: 10.1177/1078155219882071
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-1552

Abstract

Introduction: Immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors gains a major role in bladder cancer. Because of the treatment's immune modulatory effects, patients may develop hepatitis. Hepatitis B was an exclusion criterion in clinical trials that investigated nivolumab. Therefore, its effects and risk of hepatitis B reactivation in nivolumab are not clinically investigated in renal cell carcinoma patients with hepatitis B. Case report: In this case report, we presented a metastatic renal cell carcinoma patient who was treated with anti-viral treatment for hepatitis reactivation caused by previous sunitinib therapy. After progression, nivolumab was commenced and the patient was closely monitored with hepatic function tests. Management and outcome: Nivolumab was well tolerated and no treatment-related adverse effect occurred. Hepatitis or viral hepatitis reactivation was not detected. Discussion: This case supports the safety of nivolumab in patients with renal cell carcinoma and viral hepatitis.