Ipilimumab Associated Autoimmune Alveolitis Responding to Corticosteroids

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is increasing in incidence and metastatic melanoma is extremely challenging to treat, although new targeted and immunotherapeutic options for treatment are emerging. One of these is the anti CTLA4 antibody ipilimumab which releases the 'break' on endogenous anti-melanoma T-cell responses leading to improved survival. It is associated with autoimmune toxicity, typically in the liver, skin and colon. We report here the case of an ipilimumab treated patient who developed autoimmune alveolitis due to the drug, which is only very rarely reported in association with this form of immune-modulating therapy.