Summary Immune checkpoint inhibitors significantly improve clinical outcomes in numerous malignancies, but high-grade immune-related adverse events can occur, particularly with combination immunotherapy. Herein, we report two melanoma patients who developed fatal myocarditis following treatment with ipilimumab and nivolumab. Both patients developed myositis with rhabdomyolysis, early progressive and refractory cardiac electrical instability, and myocarditis with robust T-cell and macrophage infiltrates. Selective clonal T-cell populations infiltrating the myocardium were identical to those present in tumor and skeletal muscle. Pharmacovigilance data revealed that myocarditis occurred in 0.27% of patients treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab, suggesting this is a rare, potentially fatal, T-cell-driven drug reaction.

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Objective To determine the prevalence of JC virus (JCV) reactivation and JCV-specific cellular immune response during prolonged natalizumab treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods We enrolled 43 JCV-seropositive MS patients, including 32 on natalizumab monotherapy>18 months, 6 on interferon β-1a monotherapy>36 months and 5 untreated controls. We performed QPCR in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood and urine for JCV DNA and we determined JCV-specific T cell responses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays, ex vivo and after in vitro stimulation with JCV peptides. Results JCV DNA was detected in the CSF of 2/27 (7.4%) natalizumab-treated MS patients who had no symptoms or MRI lesions consistent with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. JCV DNA was detected in blood of 12/43 (27.9%) and in urine of 11/43 (25.6%) subjects without difference between natalizumab-treated patients and controls. JC viral load was higher in CD34+ cells and in monocytes compared to other subpopulations. ICS was more sensitive than ELISpot, and JCV-specific T cell responses, mediated by both CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocytes, were detected more frequently after in vitro stimulation. JCV-specific CD4+ T-cells were detected ex vivo more frequently in MS patients with JCV DNA in CD34+ (p=0.05) and B cells (p=0.03). Interpretation Asymptomatic JCV reactivation may occur in CSF of natalizumab-treated MS patients. JCV DNA load is higher in circulating CD34+ cells and monocytes compared to other mononuclear cells, and JCV in blood might trigger a JCV-specific CD4+ T-cell response. JCV-specific cellular immune response is highly prevalent in all JCV-seropositive MS patients, regardless of treatment.

Parainfluenza infection is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. DAS181 is a novel antiviral agent with activity against influenza and parainfluenza. We report the first 2 cases, to our knowledge, of successful DAS181 use in ventilated HSCT patients with severe parainfluenza lung disease.

Objective:To describe the compassionate use of interleukin-7 (IL-7) for treatment of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in the setting of idiopathic CD8+ greater than CD4+ lymphocytopenia.Methods:A 66-year-old HIV-seronegative man presented with progressive language dysfunction. MRI showed hyperintense lesions in the left hemispheric white matter with mild contrast enhancement. A brain biopsy performed 4 months after symptom onset established the diagnosis of PML. The patient had profound lymphocytopenia with absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) at 168 cells/μL, 87 CD4+ T cells/μL, and 7 CD8+ T cells/μL. There was no evidence of hematologic malignancy or rheumatologic disease.Results:The patient received 3 intramuscular injections of IL-7 at a dose of 10 μg/kg per week with no adverse effects. ALC peaked at 595 cells/μL, CD4+ T cells at 301 cells/μL, and CD8+ T cells at 34 cells/μL 3 weeks after completion of treatment. His lesions on MRI stabilized and neurologic examination mildly improved. JCV-specific T-cell responses measured by intracellular cytokine staining were not altered after treatment with IL-7 but there was a marked increase in regulatory T cells.Conclusion:This case further supports the investigational use of IL-7 in patients who develop PML in the setting of ICL.Classification of evidence:This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with ICL and PML, IL-7 improves PML-related-outcomes. The study is rated Class IV because it is a case report.