Objective: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors are responsible for a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality. Predictors of severity of rheumatic irAEs have not been identified yet. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis whether the presence of autoantibodies could be associated with a more severe and difficult-to-treat clinical phenotype of rheumatic irAEs. Methods: Patients referred to our centre due to the onset of rheumatic irAEs were prospectively recruited between June 2018 and December 2020. A pre-specified panel of autoantibodies was tested in each patient at baseline visit. All patients were started on glucocorticoids and then followed-up. Conventional or biologic immunosuppressants were started in case of steroid-refractory or relapsing disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the baseline positivity of at least one autoantibody and the necessity of an add-on therapy. Results: Fourty-three patients with rheumatic irAEs were enrolled. Twenty-five (58%) patients had positivity of at least one of the tested autoantibodies. Twenty-two (51%) patients required the start of an additional immunosuppressant during follow-up. The only factor associated with the necessity of an add-on therapy was autoantibody positivity (OR=9.65, 95% CI:2.09–44.56; p-value 0.004). Conclusions: The presence of autoantibodies in patients with cancer who develop rheumatic irAEs could predict their progression to difficult-to-treat clinical manifestations. This finding might prompt a future therapeutic approach based on a tailored and earlier immunosuppressive treatment in selected cases.

Autoantibody positivity predicts severity of rheumatic immune-related adverse events to immune-checkpoint inhibitors / Campochiaro, C.; Farina, N.; Tomelleri, A.; Ferrara, R.; Viola, S.; Lazzari, C.; De Luca, G.; Raggi, D.; Bulotta, A.; Matucci-Cerinic, M.; Necchi, A.; Garassino, M.; Gregorc, V.; Dagna, L.. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE. - ISSN 0953-6205. - 103:(2022), pp. 95-99. [10.1016/j.ejim.2022.07.005]

Autoantibody positivity predicts severity of rheumatic immune-related adverse events to immune-checkpoint inhibitors

Farina N.
Secondo
;
Tomelleri A.;Ferrara R.;Lazzari C.;De Luca G.;Necchi A.;Garassino M.;Dagna L.
Ultimo
2022-01-01

Abstract

Objective: Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors are responsible for a considerable burden of morbidity and mortality. Predictors of severity of rheumatic irAEs have not been identified yet. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis whether the presence of autoantibodies could be associated with a more severe and difficult-to-treat clinical phenotype of rheumatic irAEs. Methods: Patients referred to our centre due to the onset of rheumatic irAEs were prospectively recruited between June 2018 and December 2020. A pre-specified panel of autoantibodies was tested in each patient at baseline visit. All patients were started on glucocorticoids and then followed-up. Conventional or biologic immunosuppressants were started in case of steroid-refractory or relapsing disease. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between the baseline positivity of at least one autoantibody and the necessity of an add-on therapy. Results: Fourty-three patients with rheumatic irAEs were enrolled. Twenty-five (58%) patients had positivity of at least one of the tested autoantibodies. Twenty-two (51%) patients required the start of an additional immunosuppressant during follow-up. The only factor associated with the necessity of an add-on therapy was autoantibody positivity (OR=9.65, 95% CI:2.09–44.56; p-value 0.004). Conclusions: The presence of autoantibodies in patients with cancer who develop rheumatic irAEs could predict their progression to difficult-to-treat clinical manifestations. This finding might prompt a future therapeutic approach based on a tailored and earlier immunosuppressive treatment in selected cases.
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
PIIS0953620522002539.pdf

solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: PDF editoriale (versione pubblicata dall'editore)
Licenza: Copyright dell'editore
Dimensione 454.64 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
454.64 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11768/135611
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 6
social impact