BRAF Inhibitor Therapy-Related Encephalitis in a Patient with Metastatic Melanoma

Abstract

Introduction. BRAF-inhibitors such as encorafenib and vemurafenib in combination with MEK inhibitors are commonly used for the treatment of patients with BRAFV600-mutant melanoma. Case Presentation. A patient with relapsed metastatic melanoma with a BRAFV600 mutation was started on treatment with vemurafenib and cobimetinib. Within two weeks of treatment-start, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with encephalitis through a lumbar puncture and treated with corticosteroids, with subsequent normalization of CSF findings. When he recovered and was switched to encorafenib treatment, the same symptoms recurred and patient was treated with high dose steroids and IVIG, again with improvement in his CSF. He has not had a relapse of his symptoms since BRAF-inhibitor treatment was permanently discontinued. Conclusion. This is the first known report of a patient who has developed encephalitis due to treatment with BRAFinhibitors. The Oncologist 2021;9999:• •