Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (Nivolumab)-Induced Enterocolitis Demonstrated on 18Fluorine-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron

Sharjeel Usmani1,2, Rashid Rasheed1, Fahad Marafi2

  • 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Khaitan, Kuwait.

Nivolumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, is a humanized anti-programmed death-1 monoclonal antibody that is used for the treatment of various cancers after second-line chemotherapy. We report a 23-year-old male with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma Stage IV treated with nivolumab. After 3 months of treatment, he developed watery diarrhea and cramping abdominal pain. Follow-up positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan showed complete metabolic resolution of the disease; however, there is bowel wall thickening and colonic distension with corresponding increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake. These findings are related to immune-related adverse event associated with nivolumab treatment, i.e., secondary enterocolitis. These adverse events can be successfully treated if timely and appropriately diagnosed.

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