Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Has Revolutionized Cancer Treatment

But rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica can be added to the list of adverse events.

Immunotherapy has altered the prognosis for several cancers — in particular, malignant melanoma and non–small cell lung cancer. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can be associated with adverse events such as colitis, vitiligo, auto immune thyroid disease, pneumonitis, and sicca (NEJM JW Gen Med Feb 1 2017 and Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 76:43), as well as psoriasis, lupus, myositis, vasculitis, and arthralgias. In this retrospective study of data from a French national registry, researchers identified 10 patients who received ipilimumab (Yervoy), nivolumab (Opdivo), or pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for cancer and then received new diagnoses of rheumatoid arthritis (RA; 6 patients) or polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR; 4 patients).

All patients were …

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

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Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Has Revolutionized Cancer Treatment

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Reviewing Author