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Volume 34, Issue 4, December 2023



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Mediterr J Rheumatol 2021;32(3):218-26
Should we be Afraid of Immune Check Point Inhibitors in Cancer Patients with Pre-Existing Rheumatic Diseases? Immunotherapy in Pre-Existing Rheumatic Diseases
Authors Information

1. Department of Rheumatology, "Asklepieion" General Hospital, Athens, Greece

2. Department of Rheumatology, Agios Andreas Hospital, Patras, Greece

3. Clinical Immunology-Rheumatology Unit, 2nd Department of Medicine and Laboratory, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

4. Department of Rheumatology, Patras University Hospital, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, Greece

Abstract

Background: Cancer immunotherapy is rapidly expanding but its clinical efficacy is hampered by immune related adverse events (ir-AE). There is a concern regarding patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases (PAD) undergoing immunotherapy. Methods: An electronic search was performed (Medline) to identify cases of patients with PAD treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Results: Published data are rather limited but continue to emerge. Patients with PAD exhibit a high risk of PAD flare and/or de novo ir-AE. In most cases PAD flares and de novo irAEs were not severe and could be managed effectively with standard treatment. Conclusions: This risk in patients with PAD appears acceptable, and therefore, these patients could receive immunotherapy under close monitoring. Collaboration of oncologists and rheumatologists for the management of these patients is crucial.



Cite this article as: Klavdianou K, Melissaropoulos K, Filippopoulou A, Daoussis D. Should we be Afraid of Immune Check Point Inhibitors in Cancer Patients with Pre-Existing Rheumatic Diseases? Immunotherapy in Pre-Existing Rheumatic Diseases. Mediterr J Rheumatol 2021;32(3):218-26.

Article Submitted: 25 Feb 2021; Article Accepted: 10 Mar 2021; Available Online: 30 Sep 2021

https://doi.org/10.31138/mjr.32.3.218

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. 

©Klavdianou K, Melissaropoulos K, Filippopoulou A, Daoussis D.