Focal Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy With High-Dose Interleukin-2 Therapy for Malignant Melanoma

High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an available treatment option for patients with metastatic melanoma or renal cell carcinoma, and is associated with sustained complete and partial responses in a subset of patients. IL-2, however, is not devoid of toxicities, most of which involve the cardiovascular system and manifest as hypotension, arrhythmias, and cardiomyopathy. This report describes an unusual presentation of takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a postmenopausal woman receiving high-dose IL-2 for metastatic melanoma.

Target Audience

This activity has been designated to meet the educational needs of physicians and nurses involved in the management of patients with cancer.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

  • List the potential cardiovascular toxicities and adverse events associated with high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy
  • Discuss the characteristic clinical presentation of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC)
  • Evaluate TC as differential diagnosis for patients, particularly postmenopausal women, who present with features suggestive of ischemia while on high-dose IL-2 treatment for metastatic carcinoma
Additional information
Supporters: 

No commercial support was received for this article.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Nurse
  • 1.00 Physician
Course opens: 
12/12/2014
Course expires: 
12/12/2015
Cost:
$0.00

Senthil Damodaran, MD, PhD
Division of Medical Oncology
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio

Ewa Mrozek, MD
Division of Medical Oncology
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio

Dave Liebner, MD
Division of Medical Oncology
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio

Kari Kendra, MD, PhD
Division of Medical Oncology
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Columbus, Ohio

Available Credit

  • 1.00 Participation
  • 1.00 Nurse
  • 1.00 Physician

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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