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Immune checkpoint inhibitor induced anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (Anti-GAD 65) limbic encephalitis responsive to intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange

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Abstract

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have made significant advances in available cancer treatment options towards progression-free and overall survival in cancer patients by potentiating own anti-tumor immune response. Anti-programmed death (PD-1) and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) have been increasingly associated with neurologic complications. LE is a rare complication and like many complications secondary to immunotherapy, there is no standard for evaluation and treatment. Anti-GAD65-associated LE has been associated with thymic carcinoma. We describe a patient who presented with progressive memory loss 2 weeks after her third cycle of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab with associated elevated Anti-GAD65 levels. Treatment with IVIG and PLEX led to complete resolution of her symptoms and improvement in her brain imaging and CSF findings.

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Correspondence to Matthew Chung.

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This type of article does not require ethical approval at the institution that this case was received.

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Written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of their imaging and case description.

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Chung, M., Jaffer, M., Verma, N. et al. Immune checkpoint inhibitor induced anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (Anti-GAD 65) limbic encephalitis responsive to intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange. J Neurol 267, 1023–1025 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09666-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09666-6

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