Uveitis associated with cancer immunotherapy: long-term outcomes

Lay abstract This study aims to report the long-term outcome of intra-ocular inflammation (uveitis) associated with cancer immunotherapy (CIT). Serial patients complaining of blurred vision and painful eyes showed intra-ocular inflammation that was related to CIT, after infectious, inflammatory and tumoral causes of uveitis have been ruled out. The length of follow-up was more than 12 months for most patients. Eight serial patients treated with rituximab (anti-CD20), nivolumab (anti-PD-1), ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4), vemurafenib and dabrafenib (anti-BRAF), trametinib (anti-MEK) and ibritunib showed intra-ocular inflammation with hypopion (one patient), macular edema (five patients) and choroiditis (two patients). Various regimens of corticosteroid therapy showed a favorable ophthalmological outcome, whether the CIT was continuing or suspended. Local corticosteroid injections in combination with CIT could be suggested as a first-line treatment. This could help to preserve the quality of life without threatening the vital prognosis. Background: We report the long-term outcome of uveitis associated with cancer immunotherapy (CIT). Methods: This retrospective review included serial patients with CIT-associated uveitis treated using various regimen. Results: Eight patients treated with rituximab (anti-CD20), nivolumab (anti-PD-1), ipilimumab (anti-CTLA-4), vemurafenib and dabrafenib (anti-BRAF), trametinib (anti-MEK) and ibritunib showed uveitis with hypopion (one patient), macular edema (five patients) and choroiditis (two patients). Various regimens of corticosteroid therapy showed a favorable ophthalmological outcome, whether the CIT was continuing or suspended. Conclusion: Local corticosteroid injections in combination with CIT could be suggested as a first-line treatment. This could help to preserve the quality of life without threatening the vital prognosis.