TY - JOUR
T1 - Widespread Hypertrophic Lichen Planus following Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 Blockade
AU - Myrdal, Caitlyn N.
AU - Sundararajan, Srinath
AU - Curiel-Lewandrowski, Clara
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) may not have the typical histological findings of lichen planus and often mimics squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Distinguishing between the two can pose a diagnostic challenge. Here, we present a case of eruptive HLP mimicking SCC in the context of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibition. A 73-year-old woman recently treated with durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, presented to our clinic with diffuse hyperkeratotic papules and plaques previously thought to be eruptive SCC. The lesions did not respond to topical fluorouracil and continued to appear despite discontinuation of immunotherapy. Further histological analysis revealed intraepidermal epithelial proliferation with lichenoid inflammation. Subsequent treatment with topical corticosteroids significantly improved the size and number of lesions. The diagnosis of HLP was made based on histological features and response to topical steroids in the context of recent immunotherapy. This case reveals HLP as a potential adverse effect of PD-L1 inhibition and highlights the need for additional diagnostic assessment in patients presenting with eruptive hyperkeratotic lesions, especially on the lower extremities.
AB - Hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) may not have the typical histological findings of lichen planus and often mimics squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Distinguishing between the two can pose a diagnostic challenge. Here, we present a case of eruptive HLP mimicking SCC in the context of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibition. A 73-year-old woman recently treated with durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, presented to our clinic with diffuse hyperkeratotic papules and plaques previously thought to be eruptive SCC. The lesions did not respond to topical fluorouracil and continued to appear despite discontinuation of immunotherapy. Further histological analysis revealed intraepidermal epithelial proliferation with lichenoid inflammation. Subsequent treatment with topical corticosteroids significantly improved the size and number of lesions. The diagnosis of HLP was made based on histological features and response to topical steroids in the context of recent immunotherapy. This case reveals HLP as a potential adverse effect of PD-L1 inhibition and highlights the need for additional diagnostic assessment in patients presenting with eruptive hyperkeratotic lesions, especially on the lower extremities.
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U2 - 10.1159/000508490
DO - 10.1159/000508490
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85087367930
SN - 1662-6567
VL - 12
SP - 119
EP - 123
JO - Case Reports in Dermatology
JF - Case Reports in Dermatology
IS - 2
ER -