Anti-glomerular basement membrane disease in association with pembrolizumab treated with rituximab in addition to standard care: a case report
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Lopez, Tony
Srikantharajah, Mukunthan
McAdoo, Stephen
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with certain malignancies; however, they can also be associated with diverse autoimmune organ toxicities, including those affecting the kidney. Case Presentation: A 75-year-old man was referred to the nephrology team with a progressive decline in kidney function over a 3-month period. His medical history included a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer for which he had been treated with pembrolizumab immunotherapy for the past 18 months (15 cycles). At referral, serum creatinine had risen from a baseline of 140 µmol/L to 208 µmol/L. Urinalysis showed blood and protein, and his urine protein creatinine ratio was 457 mg/mmol. An autoimmune screen yielded a positive anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody result (23 IU/L, normal range <7). He underwent a kidney biopsy. Light microscopy demonstrated focal and necrotising crescentic glomerulonephritis and eosinophilic tubulointerstitial nephritis. Immunofluorescence revealed linear IgG deposition along glomerular basement membranes. The patient did not have any clinical or radiographic evidence of pulmonary haemorrhage. A diagnosis of anti-GBM glomerulonephritis was made, and the patient received treatment with corticosteroids, seven cycles of plasma exchange, oral cyclophosphamide (total dose 3.3 g) and two intravenous doses of 1 g rituximab. The patient achieved a negative anti-GBM status within 1 week of presentation. Despite treatment for anti-GBM disease and cessation of pembrolizumab, his kidney function continued to decline, and his cancer progressed. Six months after diagnosis, he presented unwell to the hospital and received treatment for a presumed chest infection. Unfortunately, his condition deteriorated during this inpatient stay, and he passed away peacefully (6.7 months after induction treatment). Conclusion: This case demonstrates a rare but important diagnosis of anti-GBM disease during pembrolizumab therapy. It highlights the challenges of managing immunosuppression and chemotherapy options in patients who are frail and with impaired kidney function.
Date Issued
2025-01-01
Date Acceptance
2025-06-13
Citation
Glomerular Diseases, 2025, 5 (1)
ISSN
2673-3625
Publisher
S. Karger AG
Journal / Book Title
Glomerular Diseases
Volume
5
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY) (https://karger.com/Services/ OpenAccessLicense). Usage, derivative works and distribution are permitted provided that proper credit is given to the author and the original publisher.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41064339
PII: 547089
Subjects
Anti-glomerular basement membrane
Immune-related adverse event
Pembrolizumab
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Date Publish Online
2025-07-01