Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report

Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a crucial therapeutic option for treating various malignancies. Nivolumab, an ICI, is a monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death protein 1. However, many studies indicate that ICIs can lead to various immune-...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bo-Kang Cheng, Chien-An Ko, Chun-Lin Kuo, Te-Chi Nai, Wei Lin, Chung-Hsing Chou, Yueh-Feng Sung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-01-01
Series:Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ANT.ANT_112_0090
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849471814459195392
author Bo-Kang Cheng
Chien-An Ko
Chun-Lin Kuo
Te-Chi Nai
Wei Lin
Chung-Hsing Chou
Yueh-Feng Sung
author_facet Bo-Kang Cheng
Chien-An Ko
Chun-Lin Kuo
Te-Chi Nai
Wei Lin
Chung-Hsing Chou
Yueh-Feng Sung
author_sort Bo-Kang Cheng
collection DOAJ
description Over the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a crucial therapeutic option for treating various malignancies. Nivolumab, an ICI, is a monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death protein 1. However, many studies indicate that ICIs can lead to various immune-related adverse events (irAEs), with neurological irAEs accounting for approximately 1%–5% of these cases. Neurological adverse events such as Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) are rare but life threatening. This report presents the case of a 72-year-old male diagnosed with sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea, who was admitted with rapid-onset weakness of the upper limbs 7 days following the latest nivolumab treatment. These symptoms progressed quickly to quadriplegia and respiratory failure, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Serum antiganglioside antibodies were positive for immunoglobulin (Ig) M-GM1, IgM-GD1b, and IgG-GM3. His clinical symptoms improved significantly after steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. This rare and atypical case highlights the complexity of ICI-related GBS. Early recognition of associated symptoms is crucial for timely and appropriate treatment.
format Article
id doaj-art-1256080746d84c6788eaef66d5596b00
institution Kabale University
issn 1028-768X
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
spelling doaj-art-1256080746d84c6788eaef66d5596b002025-08-20T03:24:43ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsActa Neurologica Taiwanica1028-768X2025-01-01341353910.4103/ANT.ANT_112_0090Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case ReportBo-Kang ChengChien-An KoChun-Lin KuoTe-Chi NaiWei LinChung-Hsing ChouYueh-Feng SungOver the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have emerged as a crucial therapeutic option for treating various malignancies. Nivolumab, an ICI, is a monoclonal antibody directed against programmed cell death protein 1. However, many studies indicate that ICIs can lead to various immune-related adverse events (irAEs), with neurological irAEs accounting for approximately 1%–5% of these cases. Neurological adverse events such as Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) are rare but life threatening. This report presents the case of a 72-year-old male diagnosed with sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea, who was admitted with rapid-onset weakness of the upper limbs 7 days following the latest nivolumab treatment. These symptoms progressed quickly to quadriplegia and respiratory failure, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Serum antiganglioside antibodies were positive for immunoglobulin (Ig) M-GM1, IgM-GD1b, and IgG-GM3. His clinical symptoms improved significantly after steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. This rare and atypical case highlights the complexity of ICI-related GBS. Early recognition of associated symptoms is crucial for timely and appropriate treatment.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ANT.ANT_112_0090antiganglioside antibodiescase reportguillain–barre syndromeimmune checkpoint inhibitorimmune-related adverse eventsintravenous immunoglobulinnivolumab
spellingShingle Bo-Kang Cheng
Chien-An Ko
Chun-Lin Kuo
Te-Chi Nai
Wei Lin
Chung-Hsing Chou
Yueh-Feng Sung
Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report
Acta Neurologica Taiwanica
antiganglioside antibodies
case report
guillain–barre syndrome
immune checkpoint inhibitor
immune-related adverse events
intravenous immunoglobulin
nivolumab
title Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report
title_full Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report
title_fullStr Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report
title_short Guillain–Barre Syndrome-Like Polyneuropathy Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Case Report
title_sort guillain barre syndrome like polyneuropathy induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors a case report
topic antiganglioside antibodies
case report
guillain–barre syndrome
immune checkpoint inhibitor
immune-related adverse events
intravenous immunoglobulin
nivolumab
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/ANT.ANT_112_0090
work_keys_str_mv AT bokangcheng guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport
AT chienanko guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport
AT chunlinkuo guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport
AT techinai guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport
AT weilin guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport
AT chunghsingchou guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport
AT yuehfengsung guillainbarresyndromelikepolyneuropathyinducedbyimmunecheckpointinhibitorsacasereport