DOI: 10.12890/2025_005625

Nivolumab-induced chylothorax in a patient with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma

Authors

  • Youssef Hayssam Sultan Resident of Internal Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon 0000-0002-7588-3093
  • Radwan Zeidan Pulmonary and Critical Care Fellow, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Mohammed Abdallah Pulmonary and critical care fellow, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Staphanie Joseph Mitri Pulmonary and critical care medicine, Balamand University, Mount Lebanon University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
  • Francois Georges Kamar Haematology and Oncology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Balamand, Beirut, Lebanon; Hematology Oncology Department, Mount Lebanon University Medical Centre. Hazmieh, Lebanon

stephanie.joseph.mitri@gmail.com

Keywords

Nivolumab, chylothorax, immune adverse event, advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, PD-1 inhibitor

Abstract

Chylothorax refers to the presence of chyle in the pleural space leading to respiratory compromise. Chylothorax secondary to gastric adenocarcinoma or immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as nivolumab, is exceedingly rare and has been documented only in isolated case reports. The exact mechanism by which nivolumab may induce chylothorax remains unclear, though immune-mediated increased lymphatic permeability induced by anti-PD-1 has been hypothesised. This report highlights a unique presentation of chylothorax in a patient with gastric adenocarcinoma undergoing nivolumab therapy.

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Published

2025-09-08

How to Cite

1.
Sultan YH, Zeidan R, Abdallah M, Mitri SJ, Kamar FG. Nivolumab-induced chylothorax in a patient with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2025 Sep. 8 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(10). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/5625

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