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Published on: November 10, 2023
Pembrolizumab Induced Acute Persistent Airway Disease in a Patient with Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP)
Kathryn Marcus1, Daniel J Lee1, Jeffrey S Wilson2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA.
Objective:
To present an uncommon but serious, recently identified complication of checkpoint inhibitor therapy in a patient treated with pembrolizumab infusion for disseminated recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP).
Methods:
Case report.
Results:
A 43-year-old woman with underlying asthma developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure within 24 hours of her third infusion of pembrolizumab for treatment of intractable, disseminated recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Pulmonary function testing revealed a severe intra-thoracic obstructive ventilatory defect. Discontinuation of pembrolizumab, ventilatory support, and treatment with systemic and inhaled corticosteroids resulted in resolution of respiratory failure; however, her underlying asthma remains poorly controlled.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this case is the first report of pembrolizumab-induced obstructive respiratory failure in a patient being treated for RRP.
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