Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 antibody-induced colitis and its management with infliximab

Dig Dis Sci. 2009 Nov;54(11):2538-40. doi: 10.1007/s10620-008-0641-z. Epub 2008 Dec 23.

Abstract

Anti-CTLA-4 antibodies are human monoclonal antibodies previously studied in the treatment of metastatic melanoma (MM). CTLA-4 is an inhibitory receptor on cytotoxic T cells, blockade of which will activate T cells allowing them to attack malignant cells. Normal host cells may also be affected, and immune-mediated enterocolitis can occur. This is a prospective observational study on the use of corticosteroids and infliximab in the treatment of patients with immune-mediated colitis secondary to anti-CTLA-4 antibody treatment of MM. Five patients presented with colitis after medication administration. Patients were treated with high-dose corticosteroids for 1 week, but diarrhea did not completely abate in any of them. They were then treated successfully with infliximab. One patient had recurrence of symptoms and responded to repeat treatment with infliximab. Patients who develop immune-mediated colitis after administration of anti-CTLA-4 antibodies have previously been reported to respond to corticosteroids, but in our study, all required treatment with infliximab.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / drug therapy*
  • Colitis / immunology
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infliximab
  • Ipilimumab
  • Male
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antigens, CD
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • CTLA4 protein, human
  • Gastrointestinal Agents
  • Ipilimumab
  • Infliximab
  • tremelimumab