Vitiligo and tumor response in a patient with amelanotic melanoma undergoing nivolumab treatment

Abstract

Vitiligo, an acquired depigmenting disorder of the skin that reacts against normal melanocytes, sometimes occurs as an immune-related adverse event in the treatment of melanoma with immune checkpoint inhibitors. It has been known that the occurrence of vitiligo is associated with a favorable therapeutic response in patients with melanoma, but it is not yet clear whether the association also applies to amelanotic melanoma, a minor subtype of melanoma with little or no melanin pigmentation. We report a patient with amelanotic melanoma of the esophagus who responded well to nivolumab treatment. Shortly after the tumor response, vitiligo was found on the patient’s forearms. This case suggests that the occurrence of vitiligo is associated with a favorable response to nivolumab treatment for amelanotic melanoma.