Neurologic Deterioration Following Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in a Patient With <scp>HAM</scp> / <scp>TSP</scp>
ABSTRACT Introduction HTLV‐1 is a human retrovirus that targets T lymphocytes and can cause human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HAM/TSP is a rare, chronic, neuroinflammatory disorder characterized by progressive lower‐extremity stiffness and weakness. Case Presentation We present a 50‐year‐old man with a history of HAM/TSP who developed Lynch syndrome with synchronous gastrointestinal cancers and experienced acute neurological worsening following pembrolizumab therapy. Conclusion This case highlights the potential for immune checkpoint inhibitor–related neuroinflammatory exacerbation in a patient with HTLV‐1 infection.
Authors
- Terrah Paul Olson
- Courtney L. Devin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9792-9892)
- Danielle Pitter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5101-0311)
- Celine Reynoso Soriano
- Diana L. Vargas
Institutions
- Emory University (US)
- Emory University Hospital (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience
- Published
- 2026-04-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ncn3.70108
- Primary Topic
- T-cell and Retrovirus Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00