[Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Recommendations for Adverse Reaction in the Nervous System Related to Immunocheckpoint Inhibitor]

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi. 2019 Oct 20;22(10):633-638. doi: 10.3779/j.issn.1009-3419.2019.10.05.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can cause adverse reactions in the nervous system, with the incidence rate ranging from 0.1% to 12%, and 80% occurring within the first 4 months of ICI application. It can cause lesions in various parts of the nervous system, including aseptic meningitis, meningoencephalitis, necrotizing encephalitis, brainstem encephalitis, transverse myelitis and other central nervous system diseases. It can also cause cranial peripheral neuropathy, multifocal radicular neuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, spinal radicular neuropathy and myasthenia gravis, myopathy, etc. For these complications of the nervous system, diagnosis could be made by sufficient collection of disease manifestations combined with imaging, cerebrospinal fluid examinations, electro-encephalogram or electro myography to exclude infection or tumor progression. In the treatment of severe cases, ICIs should be discontinued and treated with high doses of glucocorticoid or gamma globulin with systemic support. After neurological adverse reactions, the prognosis of severe cases is poor.

【中文题目:免疫检查点抑制剂相关神经系统不良反应的临床诊治建议】 【中文摘要:免疫检查点抑制剂(immune checkpoint inhibitors, ICIs)可引起神经系统的不良反应,发生率在0.1%-12%,80%发生在应用前4个月内。可以引起神经系统各部位的病变,包括无菌性脑膜炎,脑膜脑炎,坏死性脑炎,脑干脑炎,横贯性脊髓炎等中枢神经系统病变,也可引起颅神经周围神经病、多灶性神经根神经病、格林巴利综合征、脊神经根神经病、重症肌无力、肌病等周围神经病变。对于神经系统的这些并发症,均需要症状体征,并结合影像学、脑脊液细胞学、脑电图或肌电图等检查,除外感染或恶性肿瘤后获得诊断。治疗中,在严重病例需停用ICIs,并用大剂量糖皮质激素或丙种球蛋白治疗和对症支持治疗。在出现神经系统不良反应后,严重病例预后较差。】 【中文关键词:免疫检查点抑制剂;神经系统不良反应;糖皮质激素】.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitor; Nervous system; Steroids.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects*
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Nervous System Diseases / therapy*
  • Prevalence
  • Prognosis