Fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus with anti programmed cell death 1 therapy
Anti programmed cell death 1 (PD 1) antibodies are regarded as a risk factor for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus as a side effect. While a small number of cases have been reported, evidence remains limited. This is the first report of an Asian patient developing insulin dependent diabetes during anti PD 1 therapy. A 55 year old euglycemic woman receiving nivolumab for malignant melanoma showed abrupt onset of ketonuria, and elevated levels of plasma glucose (580 mg/dL) and hemoglobin A1c (7.0% Over the next 2 weeks, serum C peptide levels fell below the limit of detection. Islet autoantibodies were negative, and the patient showed a human leukocyte antigen haplotype associated with type 1 diabetes. Anti PD 1 therapy can cause rapid onset of insulin dependent diabetes, possibly because of inappropriate activation of T cells. Human leukocyte antigen haplotypes might be related to the onset of this disease. Physicians should be aware of this serious adverse event and carry out routine blood glucose testing during anti PD 1 therapy.
Journal of diabetes investigation