Abstract
Abstract The aim of cancer immunotherapy is to reinvigorate an exhausted immune system. Checkpoint modulators PD1/PDL1 and CTLA4 antagonists “release the breaks” on ineffective T cells and subsequently bolster tumor-targeted T cells. These checkpoint modulators are increasingly available for numerous cancers and therefore the number of patients on immunotherapy are ever increasing. In contrast, patients with autoimmune diseases are prescribed immune therapies that dampen the immune system. Of note, immune suppressive therapies increase the incidence of various cancers. The interesting question that has not been fully addressed- what is happening immunologically in patients who have pre-existing autoimmune diseases and are treated with checkpoint modulators for cancer? We have been evaluating the immune correlates in patients with pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis (RA; often being treated with TNF-α blocker) who later receive checkpoint therapy when diagnosed with cancer. Following checkpoint therapy, we saw an increase in central memory T cells, a decrease in PD1 and CTLA4 expression, and a decrease in Th1 and Th17 cells in the peripheral blood. Additionally, we have been working on a dual disease animal model- collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and lung cancer models. This will has allowed us to study the direct immunological consequences of giving treatments that either dampen or boost the immune system on both cancer and CIA disease states. Outcomes from this work will continue to expand our understanding of the immune system in patients with dual diseases and thus be better equipped to evaluate immunological correlates for exacerbated autoimmune disease and to productively treat patients with both autoimmune and cancer diagnoses.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.