The use of antibodies against programmed death (PD)1, such as nivolumab and 
pembrolizumab, has dramatically improved the prognosis of patients with advanced 
melanoma. Nivolumab is also approved in advanced squamous cell nonsmall-cell 
lung cancer. These immunotherapies are associated with a unique set of 
toxicities termed immune-related adverse events, which are different from 
toxicities observed with conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. We report the case 
of a 56-year-old man who was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and who received 
nivolumab. One week after the second infusion, he developed pulmonary symptoms, 
dry eye syndrome and a bilateral swelling of the parotid glands. Investigations 
were negative for infection. The bronchoalveolar lavage differential cell count 
showed 32% lymphocytes with an increased CD4 : CD8 ratio, and bronchial biopsies 
revealed noncaseating epithelioid granulomas, without malignant cells. The 
clinical and radiological courses were rapidly favourable with oral 
corticosteroid. This case illustrates that sarcoidosis can be induced by 
nivolumab treatment. With the increasing use of anti-PD1 inhibitors in patients 
with advanced melanoma and squamous cell nonsmall-cell lung cancer, clinicians 
should be aware of this potential associated immune-related adverse event.