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Pembrolizumab-Induced Morphea in a Patient With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma
Matthew A Drescher1, Douglas W Murray2, Douglas J Grider2,3,4
1Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Roanoke, Virginia, USA, vt.edu.
Introduction:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, are increasingly used in high-grade urothelial carcinomas. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are known to cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), often involving the skin.
Case Presentation:
Reported is a 59-year-old woman with metastatic high-grade urothelial carcinoma of the right renal pelvis previously treated with chemoradiation and surgery. She developed morphea 1.5 years after initiating pembrolizumab therapy. The patient presented with violaceous, indurated plaques and paresthesias of the lower extremities. Biopsies revealed thickened collagen bundles and perivascular inflammation. MRI excluded eosinophilic fasciitis. She was diagnosed with pembrolizumab-induced morphea and treated with methotrexate and topical corticosteroids, leading to partial improvement.
Conclusion:
As immunotherapy becomes more widely used in urologic oncology, recognition of rare cutaneous irAEs such as morphea is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.