DINUTUXIMAB BETA RELATED SEVERE NEUROTOXICITY: RESOLUTION WITH THE USE
OF PLASMAPHERESIS
Abstract
Survival of high risk neuroblastoma patients is increased with the use
of dinutuximab beta (DB). This anti-ganglioside 2 antibody promotes
neuroblastoma cell killing but has on-target off-tumor nervous system
side effects. A patient with high-risk neuroblastoma treated with DB and
cis-retinoic acid without interleukin-2 presented with severe
encephalopathy. Prompt commencement of acyclovir, steroids and
intravenous immunoglobulin infusions proved unsuccessful. Symptomatic
improvement concurred with the initiation of high-dose steroid pulses
and serial plasmapheresis sessions. Timely management of severe DB
neurotoxicity as immune-based encephalomyelitis and prompt initiation of
plasmapheresis, if needed, can reverse symptoms and offer long-term
recovery of the patients.