Autoimmune Encephalitis Associated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment for Metastatic Cancer

Nivolumab and ipilimumab are monoclonal antibodies that act as immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of cancer. Nivolumab works by blocking a signal that would have prevented activated T cells from attacking the cancer, thus allowing the immune system to clear the cancer. Ipilimumab enhances T-lymphocyte–mediated immune responses to both tumor cells and healthy tissue, improving survival in patients with metastatic melanoma but also leading to more immune-related adverse events.

Researchers now report on a retrospective case study of two patients, one with a metastatic melanoma and the other with a metastatic small-cell lung cancer. The patients were treated with nivolumab and ipilimumab. After treatment, they developed symptoms incl…