Atezolizumab-Induced Bell's Palsy in a Patient With Small Cell Lung Cancer. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2020;8:2324709620965010
Date
10/14/2020Pubmed ID
33047629Pubmed Central ID
PMC7557644DOI
10.1177/2324709620965010Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85092636234 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are rapidly becoming popular therapeutic options for patients suffering from a number of malignancies. Atezolizumab is a programmed cell death ligand-1 inhibitor, and binding to this ligand decreases the ability of tumor cells to evade the immune system, resulting in self-tolerance. While inhibition of these molecules leads to increased T-cell destruction of tumor cells, it also may lead to autoimmune destruction of healthy cells. Neurotoxicity is a rare complication of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and facial palsy as a complication of atezolizumab therapy has only been reported in one additional study. We present the case of a 68-year-old female with a history of small cell carcinoma of the lung presenting with sudden-onset facial palsy and numbness of the distal extremities in the setting of receiving atezolizumab immunotherapy. Our patient was managed with temporary cessation of her immunotherapy, oral prednisone, and supportive measures. Within 4 weeks, the patient had complete resolution of her facial palsy and was able to resume immunotherapy without further complication. Clinicians should be aware of this rare adverse effect in order to enact early management including temporary cessation of therapy to prevent morbidity in patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Author List
Kichloo A, Albosta MS, Jamal SM, Aljadah M, Wani F, Selene I, Singh J, Taj AAuthor
Michael M. Aljadah MD Instructor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAntibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Antineoplastic Agents
Bell Palsy
Female
Humans
Lung Neoplasms
Small Cell Lung Carcinoma
