Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026

Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4
Published on: August 21, 2017
Severe meningo-radiculo-neuritis associated with ipilimumab
Flavie Bompaire1, Christine Mateus, Hervé Taillia
1Service de neurologie, Hôpital d'instruction des armées du Val de Grâce, Service de santé des Armées, Paris, France.
Purpose:
Ipilimumab is a T-cell-potentiating monoclonal antibody directed against cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) to promote antitumoural immunity. In phase III trials, ipilimumab was shown to be the first agent to improve survival in advanced melanoma patients, regardless of previous treatment. We report a case of severe neurologic disease after ipilimumab treatment.
Patient And Methods:
Neurologic symptoms including facial diplegia, tetraplegia, areflexia progressed with time a few days after the fourth monthly ipilimumab infusion. Analysis of the cerebro-spinal fluid showed elevated proteinorachy and lymphocytic meningitis. Despite high doses of steroids and symptomatic treatment, the symptoms worsened.
Results:
Veinoglobulins were then infused and the patient began to improve and recovered almost normal activity two years later.
Conclusion:
The adverse event profile associated with ipilimumab was primarily immune-related. This is the first case in which such a severe event has been reported.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction
Encephalitis l: Introduction
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction