Case report shows hyperbaric oxygen therapy resolves symptoms of refractory colitis in a patient with lung cancer, suggesting potential new treatment option.
Colitis is a common complication of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), often responsive to steroids or biologics. However, persistent symptoms may occur in patients with complicating factors such as altered gastrointestinal anatomy. In this context, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may be a novel treatment. We present a woman with lung cancer who developed refractory ICI colitis. She had a history of partial colectomy. Despite corticosteroids, vedolizumab ×3 doses, and fecal microbiota transplantation, she experienced persistent bleeding and ulcerations in the distal rectum with suspected ischemia. The patient had HBOT, resulting in complete resolution of clinical symptoms within 2 weeks.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Patel et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: