Severe Febrile Neutropenia and Pancytopenia in a Patient With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated With Atezolizumab and Bevacizumab: A Case Report

Authors

Shadi Chamseddine
Michael LaPelusa
Kristen Carter
Van Nguyen
Yehia I Mohamed
Yara Sakr
Cristhiam M Rojas-Hernandez
Rikita I Hatia
Manal Hassan
John A Goss
Khaled M Elsayes
Asif Rashid
Ryan Sun
Hop Sanderson Tran Cao
Hesham M Amin
Ahmed O Kaseb

Publication Date

6-30-2024

Journal

Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), agents that stimulate T-cell function, have become the standard first-line treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, they may also cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which are rare and have not been extensively reported. Here, we describe a case of severe febrile neutropenia and pancytopenia after atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (atezo/bev) therapy and its treatment course.

CASE DESCRIPTION: The combination of atezo/bev was initiated as the first-line treatment for a man in his early 50s, who was diagnosed with unresectable HCC. The first treatment cycle was administered in the outpatient setting, and the patient developed a fever of 39.0 ℃ 10 days after therapy initiation. He presented 5 days later with persistent fever as well as a headache, vomiting, chills, generalized pain, fatigue, mild abdominal discomfort, and a burning rash present on his neck and face. Complete blood counts showed severe neutropenia [absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of 90 cells/µL], leukopenia [white blood cell (WBC) count 500 cells/µL], thrombocytopenia [platelet count (PC) 18,000 cells/µL], and mild anemia (hemoglobin level 12.6 gm/dL). Imaging findings showed colitis on computed tomography (CT). Atezo/bev therapy was discontinued. Treatment plan constituted of cefepime and filgrastim, a recombinant form of the naturally occurring granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for febrile neutropenia, metronidazole for colitis, and intravenous methylprednisolone for immune-related toxicities. The patient fully recovered after 4 days of admission.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we observed temporary severe febrile neutropenia and pancytopenia during systemic immunotherapy in a patient with unresectable HCC. Healthcare providers should consider hematological irAEs (hem-irAEs) in patients after the administration of ICIs.

Keywords

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), atezolizumab, bevacizumab, hematological immune-related adverse events (hem-irAEs), case report

Comments

Supplementary Materials

PMID: 38989410