Overall Incidence Of Malignancies Research Articles

Effectiveness and adverse effects of anakinra in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be described as a chronic, inflammatory, progressive, autoimmune disorder characterized by generalized inflammation of the synovial joints, which hereby triggers the progressive erosion of both cartilage and bone. Anakinra is a recombinant form of human IL-1 receptor antagonist which targets the type I IL-1 receptor. In the present systematic review, we intend to evaluate the effectiveness and adverse effects of interleukin-1 antagonists in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The database search was carried out using PubMed (Medline), Web of Science (Clarivate), Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for the existing studies. A total of 3912 relevant articles were identified as per the search strategy. Out of them, 854 duplicate records and further 3024 records were excluded after going through their titles and abstracts. Further, out of 42 articles left, we excluded 32 more articles matching our inclusion criteria and excluding the reviews and case studies. Finally, we included 10 relevant studies that focused on both the effectiveness and adverse effects of interleukin-1 antagonists during the treatment of adult patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the present analysis. Nine out of 10 included studies are randomized trials (RCT) except for 1 study, which was an extension study. The results showed an ACR20 response at week 12 and were the most common primary outcome measure in the present review. Various secondary outcome measures studied were changed from baseline at week 24 in individual ACR components. ACR50 and ACR70 responses at subsequent weeks (12 and 24), ESR components, HAQ score, CRP levels, and ESR. Notably, more improvement was observed with anakinra in comparison to placebo for achieving ACR50 and ACR70 responses at 24 weeks. Premature withdrawal of participants was observed in almost all the studies. Adverse drug reactions were attributed to be the most common reason followed by loss of efficacy for withdrawal of patients from the treatment. The infectious episode was another common adverse effect observed in both anakinra and placebo groups. Some malignancies were also documented in the included researches of this systematic analysis. We observed a lower overall incidence of malignancies for the studies screened compared with that of the general population. This review demonstrated that anakinra is safe, effective, and well-tolerated, with no significant difference in adverse effects compared to placebo in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

MON-330 Cancer Incidence in 1,296 Patients with Acromegaly Is Not Increased: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Background: Single- and multi-center studies have shown an increased incidence of malignancies in patients with acromegaly. These findings may be affected by selection bias. Our aim was therefore to investigate the incidence of malignancies in a nationwide unselected cohort of patients with acromegaly. Methods: Adult patients diagnosed with acromegaly due to a pituitary tumor between 1987 and 2017 were identified in the Swedish National Patient Registry. All malignancies following the diagnosis of acromegaly were identified in the Swedish Cancer Registry that has a coverage of over 96%. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for malignancies, with 95% confidence intervals (CI), were calculated by using the Swedish general population as a reference. Incidence of malignancies was also analyzed in sub-groups of patients treated with radiotherapy and in those having diabetes mellitus and hypopituitarism. Results: A total of 1,296 patients with acromegaly were included (621 men, 675 women). The mean age (±SD) at diagnosis was 51.6±14.7 years. The mean follow-up was 12.7±8.3 years, with a total of 16,395 person years at risk. Pituitary surgery was performed in 842 (65%) patients and radiation therapy in 152 (12%) patients. The diagnosis of hypopituitarism and diabetes mellitus was recorded in 29% and 16% of patients, respectively. Overall, 186 malignancies were identified in patients with acromegaly as compared to 179 expected malignancies in the general population (SIR 1.04; 95% CI 0.90-1.20). Incidence of malignancies was similar in men and women [SIR 1.08 (95% CI 0.88-1.32) vs 1.00 (95% CI 0.80-1.23)]. Incidence of colorectal cancer (SIR 1.12; 95% CI 0.75-1.62) or malignancies of the respiratory system (SIR 1.22; 95% CI 0.76-1.84) was not increased. Incidence of kidney and ureter cancer (n=17) was, however, increased (SIR 3.81; 95% CI 2.22-6.11). In the entire study cohort, only three cases of thyroid cancer were recorded. SIR for malignancies in patients treated with radiotherapy (1.12; 95% CI 0.56-2.01) and in patients with hypopituitarism (SIR0.91; 95% CI 0.68-1.18) or diabetes (SIR 1.08; 95% CI 0.78-1.45) did not differ from the general population. Conclusions: This large nationwide population-based study showed that the overall incidence of malignancies in patients with acromegaly was not different from the general population. In particular, incidence of colorectal and thyroid cancer was not increased. Incidence of malignancies of the urinary tract was, however, increased.

Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors and cancer: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

The aim of this meta-analysis of randomized trials was to assess the effects of SGLT-2i on the overall incidence of malignancies and on different types of cancer, summerizing the results of trials with a duration of at least 1 year. This was done in light of the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) that has been highlighted by some studies, showing an increased incidence of bladder cancer, particularly with use of empagliflozin. A Medline and Embase search for "Canaglifozin", "Dapaglifozin", "Empaglifozin", "Ertuglifozin", "Ipraglifozin", Tofoglifozin" or "Luseoglifozin" was performed, identifying randomized trials with a duration of more than 52 weeks up to 1 December 2018 that compared SGLT-2is with placebo or active comparators. The outcomes considered were all types of cancer and several site-specific cancers (ie, breast, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, pancreatic, skin, prostate and bladder). Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios with 95% Confidence Intervals (MH-OR, 95% CI) were calculated for all outcomes. A total of 27 trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Retrieved trials had enrolled 27 744 and 20 441 patients in SGLT-2 inhibitor and comparator groups, respectively. No difference was observed in the incidence of all malignancies between patients allocated to SGLT-2i and comparators (MH-OR 0.98[0.77-1.24]). The incidence of bladder cancer, and of any other type of cancer, was not significantly increased by treatment with any SGLT-2i. Available data from randomized trials do not suggest a detrimental effect of SGLT-2is on the incidence of malignancies in general, or in bladder cancer in particular.

P3.04-036 Clinical Analysis of the Association between Lung Cancer and Connective Tissue Disease: Topic: Miscellaneous II

Connective tissue disease (CTD) is an autoimmune disease, and immunosuppressive agents, such as steroids, are used in its treatment. According to previous reports, the overall incidence of malignancies in patients with CTD is comparable or slightly higher than that in the general population. Therefore, we hypothesized that the prognosis of lung cancer patients with CTD is unfavorable. Here we assessed the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with lung cancer complicated with CTD. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with lung cancer who underwent surgery during April 2006 and March 2015 at our institution. A total of 1,104 patients underwent pulmonary resection for primary lung cancer, and it included 45 patients with CTD (25 men and 20 women). The median age of patients with CTD was 69 years (range, 50–83 years). Thirty-two patients had rheumatoid arthritis, five had systemic sclerosis, five had dermatomyositis, two had systemic lupus erythematosus, and one had Sjögren syndrome. Further, 8 patients had interstitial pneumonia at preoperative imaging, 12 patients had obstructive pulmonary dysfunction, and 4 had restrictive pulmonary dysfunction. The distribution of patients according to cancer types was as follows: 27 had adenocarcinoma, 11 had squamous cell carcinoma, 1 had small cell carcinoma and 6 had other types. A total of 18 patients underwent thoracotomy, and 27 underwent VATS (5 wedge resection, 2 segmentectomy, 37 lobectomy, and 1 pneumonectomy). In all, 22 patients had pathological stage IA disease, 9 had stage IB, 3 had stage IIA, 3 had stage II B, 5 had stage IIIA, and 1 had stage IV. There was no significant differences in the pathological stage between patients with CTD and other patients (p = 0.74).The median follow-up period of patients with CTD was 32.6 months. No deaths occurred within 30 days post -surgery. The 5-year overall survival rate was lower in patients with CTD (68.6%) than in patients without CTD (74.0%) (p = 0.10). In univariate analysis, interstitial pneumonia was a prognostic factor (p < 0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the existence of CTD (p = 0.10). Pulmonary resection in patients with CTD in our study was safe because of careful management during the perioperative period. Regular imaging follow-up for CTD enabled the early diagnosis of lung cancer, and postoperative prognosis was favorable.

Assessing Bladder Cancer Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Clinical Trials: the Dapagliflozin Drug Development Program as a 'Case Study'.

IntroductionDapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, decreases plasma glucose levels by suppressing renal glucose reabsorption and increasing urinary glucose excretion. Previously published pre-clinical data suggest that dapagliflozin lacks carcinogenic potential. This article reviews data on bladder cancer with dapagliflozin to illustrate the challenges in assessing bladder cancer in drug development programs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).MethodsClinical cases of bladder cancer were analyzed in a pooled population of >9000 patients in 21 phase 2b/3 dapagliflozin clinical trials of up to 208 weeks’ duration.ResultsIn the 21-study pool, demographic and baseline characteristics were generally consistent between dapagliflozin and comparator groups. The overall incidence of malignancies was also balanced between the treatment groups, with an incidence rate ratio (IRR) of 1.035 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.724, 1.481]. Nine of 5936 dapagliflozin-treated patients and 1 of 3403 comparator-treated patients reported bladder cancer, with an IRR of 5.168 (95% CI: 0.677, 233.55). All of these patients had clinical attributes typical of bladder cancer in the general population (≥60-year-old males; 8 of the 10 patients were current/former smokers). All cases of bladder cancer were reported within 2 years of starting study treatment. There was an absence of detailed workup of hematuria prior to randomization, and no hematuria workup data were collected proactively in the dapagliflozin trials, which is typical of clinical practice. Failure to exclude bladder cancer prior to randomization increases the chance of recruiting patients with pre-existing bladder cancer in clinical trials and may delay the final diagnosis. Of the nine dapagliflozin-treated patients with bladder cancer, eight had microscopic hematuria prior to start of treatment or within 6 months of initiating study treatment.ConclusionThe assessment of bladder cancer data illustrates the challenges of characterizing cancer risk in T2DM drug development programs. The totality of evidence to date does not suggest a causal relationship between dapagliflozin and bladder cancer.FundingAstraZeneca.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13300-015-0128-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Incidence of malignancy and the risk of lymphoma in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to the general population.

Recent advances in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased the rates of disease remission and patient life expectancy, while malignancy has become a more common cause of death. Here, we report the incidence of malignancy in a nationwide survey of Japanese patients with RA compared to the general population, focusing on the risk of lymphoma, which often arises in patients with RA. Data on the occurrence of malignancy were collected from patients registered in a nationwide Japanese cohort database, the National Database of Rheumatic Diseases by iR-net in Japan, from 2003 to 2012. To adjust for different population composition and to compare the incidence of malignancy with the general population, standardized incidence rates (SIR) were calculated. To identify risk factors for lymphoma, individual patient data were obtained for multivariate analysis for the year before lymphoma diagnosis. In 10 years, the cohort composed of 66,953 patient-years yielded 559 malignancies, most frequently lung cancer, followed by gastric cancer, breast cancer, and lymphoma. The overall incidence of malignancies in patients with RA was slightly lower than in the general population (SIR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82-0.97). However, lymphoma risk was significantly higher (SIR 3.43, 95% CI 2.59-4.28), whereas risk of colon, rectal, or liver cancer was lower. Significant risk factors for lymphoma were the use of methotrexate or tacrolimus, and higher age. Patients with RA had no higher overall incidence of malignancies, but lymphoma was significantly more frequent than in the general population.

Cancer incidence and mortality in the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic ranks among the countries with the highest cancer burden in Europe as well as worldwide. The purpose of this study is to summarize longterm trends in the cancer burden and to provide up-to-date estimates of incidence and mortality rates after 2011. The Czech National Cancer Registry (CNCR) was instituted in 1977 and contains information collected over a 34-year period of standardized registration covering 100% of cancer diagnoses within the entire Czech population. The CNCR analysis is supported by demographic data and by the Death Records Database. An overview of the epidemiology of malignant tumors in the Czech population is available online at www.svod.cz. All neoplasms, including nonmelanoma skin cancer, reached a crude incidence rate of almost 802 cases per 100,000 men and 681 cases per 100,000 women in 2011. The annual mortality rate exceeded 258 deaths per 100,000 individuals; in other words, more than 27,000 individuals die of cancer each year. The overall incidence of malignancies has increased with a growth index of +27.6% during the last decade (2001- 2011), while the mortality rate has been stabilized over the time span (growth index in 2001- 2011: - 5.0%). Consequently, the prevalence has significantly increased in the observed period and exceeded 475,000 cases in 2011. In addition to demographic aging of the Czech population, the cancer burden has also increased due to the growing incidence of multiple primary tumors (recently more than 15% of the total incidence). The most frequent diagnoses include colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Although some neoplasms are increasingly diagnosed at an early stage (e. g. the proportion of stage I or II was 75.3% for female breast cancer and 84.2% for skin melanoma), the numbers of early diagnosed cases are generally insufficient, even in the case of highly prevalent cancers such as colorectal carcinoma (only 46.1% of incident cases are diagnosed at stage I or II, according to recent data). Population-based data on malignant tumors are available in the Czech Republic. The data survey can help us define national cancer management priorities. The current priority is to achieve a sustained reduction of cases diagnosed at an advanced stage and reduction of the significant regional differences in diagnostic efficiency.

Hepatocellular and extrahepatic cancer in patients with autoimmune hepatitis – a long-term follow-up study in 634 Swedish patients

Objectives. Cirrhosis is a well-known risk factor for hepatocellular cancer, but the true risk in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is scarcely studied. Other cancers may arise after prolonged use of immune-modulating drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the cancer risk in a large cohort of AIH patients. Material and methods. Six hundred and thirty-four Swedish patients in a well-defined cohort were matched to the Cause of Death Registry and the Cancer Registry. Standard incidence ratios were calculated by relating the incidences in the cohort to an age-matched material from the Swedish background population. Results. A higher overall incidence of malignancies than the background population was found, counting from the date of diagnosis (standard incidence ratio (SIR) 2.08, 95% CI 1.68–2.55). The highest risk was found for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found 10 cases (4.0%) in 248 patients with cirrhosis, which gives an incidence rate of 0.3%. Standard incidence ratio for developing hepatobiliary cancer was 54.55 (95% CI 19.92–99.99). HCC only occurred in cirrhotic patients. There was also an increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancer (SIR 9.87, 95% CI 6.26–14.81). Conclusion. A slightly enhanced risk for malignancies in general compared to the background population was found. The risk of hepatobiliary cancer was increased, but the annual risk over the observational period was well under the postulated 1.5% when surveillance in cirrhotic patients is considered to be cost-effective.

THU0176 Golimumab 5-Year Safety: an Analysis of Pooled Data from the Long Term Extensions of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Ankylosing Spondylitis

ObjectivesTo present analysis of pooled data through approx 5yrs of follow-up from 5 completed golimumab (GLM) Ph3 SC trials across rheumatological indications.MethodsSC placebo (PBO) or GLM (50mg or100mg) was administered...

SAT0133 Golimumab 3-year safety update: An analysis of pooled data from the long term extensions of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis

ObjectivesTo present analysis of pooled data through approx 3yrs of follow-up from 5 ongoing golimumab (GLM) Ph3 SC trials across rheumatological indications and through 1yr in a completed Ph2 RA...

PROGRAM OF PALLIATIVE CANCER CARE – OUR EXPERIENCE

Annually more than 27,000 persons die of cancer in the Czech Republic and the overall incidence of malignancies is still increasing. These data shows the need for affordable and good follow-up care especially for patients without any cancer treatment due to irreversible progression of tumor. Currently the outpatient palliative cancer care gets more into the forefront. Prerequisite for a well working outpatient palliative care is cooperation with general practitioners and home health care agencies. The purpose of the so called program of palliative cancer care is to guide a patient in palliative cancer care and to improve the cooperation among health care providers. During the period from January 2008 to October 2010 we evaluated in patient without any oncology treatment due to irreversible progression of tumor. In palliative outpatient clinic we treated 446 patients, 119 of them received home care services with average length of 27.8 days. 77 patients died at home, 51 in health facilities and 41 in inpatient hospice care. We present pilot study focusing on outpatient palliative cancer care which shows the real benefit from early indication of palliative cancer care. This type of care allows patients to stay as long as possible at home among their close relatives.

Risk of Second Primary Malignancies (SPMs) Following Bortezomib (Btz)-Based Therapy: Analysis of Four Phase 3 Randomized Controlled Trials in Previously Untreated or Relapsed Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Abstract 2933 Background:MM patients have a significantly increased risk of developing certain SPMs subsequent to their initial diagnosis, including a 3.49-fold increased risk of leukemia and, specifically, an 8.32-fold increased risk of acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (but no overall increased risk of solid tumor SPMs; Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results [SEER] data 1973–2000). The relative SPM risk increases with age and time after initial diagnosis; the risk of leukemia rises from a 1.22-fold increase within 1 year after diagnosis to 3.12-fold, 7.01-fold, and 5.45-fold increases at 1–4, 5–9, and ≥10 years, respectively. An elevated risk of SPMs may be particularly associated with the use of specific therapeutic agents, including conventional or high-dose cytotoxic chemotherapy. Here we report an analysis of data from four phase 3, randomized, controlled trials of Btz alone or in combination to determine whether Btz treatment is associated with an increased SPM risk. Methods:Data were reviewed from: 1) the APEX study of Btz versus high-dose dexamethasone (Dex), and 2) the MMY-3001 study of Btz plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) versus Btz in patients with relapsed or refractory MM after 1–3 prior therapies; 3) the VISTA study of Btz plus melphalan-prednisone (VMP) versus MP in previously untreated transplant-ineligible patients; and 4) the HOVON65/GMMG-HD4 study of Btz, doxorubicin, and Dex (PAD) induction plus Btz maintenance post-transplant versus vincristine, doxorubicin, and Dex (VAD) induction plus thalidomide (Thal) maintenance in previously untreated transplant-eligible patients. Planned duration of Btz therapy was 39 weeks in APEX, 24 weeks in MMY-3001, 54 weeks in VISTA, and 9 weeks induction plus 2 years of maintenance in HOVON65/GMMG-HD4. For APEX, MMY-3001, and VISTA, clinical trial databases were reviewed for events within the MedDRA system organ class of ‘neoplasms', and new malignancies developing during or after treatment were recorded (excluding non-melanomatous skin cancers and in situ malignancies). In addition, for VISTA, data were obtained from an SPM survey after a median follow-up of 5 years. For HOVON65/GMMG-HD4, data were prospectively collected; median follow-up was 42 months. The incidence rate (IR) of SPMs was expressed as the number per 100 patient-years (pt-yrs). Results:The risk of SPMs with Btz-based therapy appeared uniformly low across all four phase 3 studies in different MM patient populations (Table). A total of 25 SPMs were seen in 1718 Btz-treated patients, including three cases of acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndromes, one B-cell malignancy, and one case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (in a patient with substantial prior alkylating agent exposure for treatment of MM), plus 20 reports of solid tumors (reflecting the higher overall incidence of these tumors). The IR ranged from 0 in the single-agent Btz arm of MMY-3001 to 1.66 with VMP in VISTA, with an IR of 0.88 in APEX and 0.3 in the PAD arm of HOVON65/GMMG-HD4; median age of Btz-treated patients was highest in VISTA, at 71 years. Overall rates (%) also appeared higher in VISTA, probably due to the longer follow-up and older population, plus the potential effects of concomitant chemotherapy. In the three studies with non-Btz control arms, the IR did not appear to be increased with Btz-based therapy versus the control arm, and across all Btz-containing arms in the four studies, the IRs for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors were consistent with SEER estimates (2004–2008 data) of the overall incidence of malignancies in the US population, of 1.1, 1.9, and 2.4 per 100 pt-yrs in individuals aged 55–64, 65–74, and 75–84 years, respectively. Conclusions:Btz-based therapy for MM does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of either hematologic or solid tumor SPMs, with IRs consistent with SEER data for IRs in the overall US population.SPMs in phase 3 studies of Btz-based therapyAPEXMMY-3001VISTAHOVON65/ GMMG-HD4ArmBtzDexBtz+PLDBtzVMPMPPAD/BtzVAD/ThalN331332318316340337413414Median age, yrs62616162717157*57*SPMs, n (%)1 (0.30)01 (0.31)019 (5.6)13 (3.9)4 (0.97)11 (2.7)Heme1 (0.30)0003 (0.88)3 (0.89)1 (0.24)4 (0.97)Solid001 (0.31)016 (4.71)10 (2.97)3 (0.73)7 (1.69)Pt-yrs113.994.2106.3104.51167100412391183IR0.8800.9401.661.300.30.9Heme0.880000.260.300.0750.33Solid000.9401.401.000.2250.57Heme, hematologic malignancies.*ASH 2010 data Disclosures:San Miguel:Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Consultancy. Richardson:Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen Research & Development: Consultancy; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy. Orlowski:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy; Onyx: Consultancy; Cephalon: Consultancy; Centocor: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. Goldschmidt:Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy. Corzo:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Satler:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Esseltine:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment, Equity Ownership; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Neuwirth:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Ponsillo:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Employment. Cakana:Janssen Research & Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. King:Janssen Research & Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Deraedt:Janssen Research & Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Desai:Janssen Global Services: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Lutska:Janssen Research & Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Gifkins:Janssen Research & Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership. Liu:Janssen Research & Development: Employment; Johnson & Johnson: Equity Ownership.

Risk of incident or recurrent malignancies among patients with rheumatoid arthritis exposed to biologic therapy in the German biologics register RABBIT.

IntroductionWe used the data of the German biologics register RABBIT, a nationwide prospective cohort study, to investigate the risk of new or recurrent malignancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving biologics compared to conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).MethodsThe analysis was based on patients with RA enrolled in RABBIT at the start of a biologic or conventional DMARD therapy between 01 May 2001 and 31 December 2006. Incidences of first or recurrent malignancies were analysed separately. A nested case-control design was used to investigate the risk of developing a first malignancy. Matching criteria were: age, gender, follow-up time, disease activity score based on 28 joint counts (DAS28) at study entry, smoking status, and selected chronic co-morbid conditions (obstructive or other lung disease, kidney, liver or gastrointestinal disease, psoriasis).ResultsA prior malignancy was reported in 122 out of 5,120 patients. Fifty-eight of these patients had received anti-TNFα agents, 9 anakinra, and 55 conventional DMARDs at study entry. In 14 patients (ever exposed to anti-TNFα: eight, to anakinra: one) 15 recurrent cancers were observed. The average time period since the onset of the first malignancy was nine years. Crude recurrence rates per 1,000 patient-years (pyrs) were 45.5 for patients exposed to anti-TNFα agents, 32.3 for anakinra patients and 31.4 for patients exposed to DMARDs only (Incidence rate ratio anti-TNFα vs. DMARD = 1.4, P = 0.6.). In patients without prior cancer, 74 patients (70% female, mean age: 61.3) developed a first malignancy during the observation. This corresponds to an incidence rate (IR) of 6.0/1,000 pyrs. Forty-four of these patients were ever exposed to anti-TNFα treatment (IR = 5.1/1,000 pyrs). In a nested case-control study comparing cancer patients to cancer-free controls, 44 of the cancer patients and 44 of the cancer-free controls were ever exposed to anti-TNFα agents (P = 1.0).ConclusionsNo significant differences in the overall incidence of malignancies in patients exposed or unexposed to anti-TNFα or anakinra treatment were found. The same applied to the risk of recurrent malignancies. However, in particular this last finding needs further validation in larger data sets.

Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue in a renal transplant recipient

The overall incidence of malignancies in post renal transplant recipients is reported to be approximately 5 to 6%. Malignancies are significant complications after transplantation. Common malignancies include malignancies of the skin and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is very rare. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue developing nine years after renal transplantation, in a 30-year-old man. He underwent left hemiglossectomy initially and then modified neck dissection. His graft function continues to remain stable.

Incidence of childhood cancer of the head and neck in Germany

Only very limited data are available in the literature on the incidence of childhood cancer of the head and neck worldwide. Based on data obtained from the national German Childhood Cancer Registry, a total of 370 malignancies of the head and neck in children under the age of 15 (199 boys and 171 girls), which were reported to this institution between 1994 and 2003, were analysed in this study. The overall incidence of malignancies of specific sites of the head and neck in Germany is 4.48 per 100000 children. The most frequently observed entities, representing primary tumours, are soft tissue sarcomas (0.39/100000), lymphomas (0.09/100000) and thyroid carcinoma (0.07/100000). The most commonly affected organs are the thyroid (1.21/100000), orbita (0.91/100000), nasopharynx (0.66/100000), tonsils (0.43/100000) and paranasal sinuses (0.14/100000). Overall, boys are more frequently affected than girls; however, incidence increases in girls with age and exceeds that of boys in the age group between 10 and 14 years. This is a first statistical evaluation detailing cumulative incidences of various histologic types of malignancies of the head and neck including age and gender distribution as well as organ-specific localization in children below the age of 15 in Germany.

Efalizumab: a review of events reported during clinical trials and side effects

Efalizumab is a recombinant humanised IgG1 kappa isotype monoclonal antibody against the CD11a molecule. Efalizumab is approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe psoriasis and is currently administered as a weekly subcutaneous injection. Throughout October 2005, 19,000 patients were treated with efalizumab. According to the package insert that is based on 2762 subjects, the most common adverse reactions associated with efalizumab are a first dose reaction complex that includes headache, chills, fever, nausea and myalgia within two days following the first two injections. These reactions are dose-level-related in incidence and severity and were largely mild-to-moderate in severity when a conditioning dose of 0.7 mg/kg was used as the first dose. Adverse events occurring at a rate between 1 and 2% greater in the efalizumab group compared with placebo were arthralgia, asthenia, peripheral oedema and psoriasis. Efalizumab is associated with a rebound flare reaction in ∼ 5% of patients when therapy is ceased. Antiefalizumab antibodies develop in ∼ 5% of the subjects who were treated with efalizumab, but the clinical significance of these antibodies is unclear. Efalizumab has rare but serious haematological side effects. Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia platelet counts at or below 52,000 cells/µl have been observed in 0.3% of cases and monitoring of platelet counts monthly for the first 3 months of use and each 3 months thereafter. Reports of four cases of haemolytic anaemia diagnosed four to six months after patients started on the monoclonal antibody exist. Infrequent new onset or recurrent severe arthritis events, including psoriatic arthritis events, have been reported in clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance. Symptoms associated with a hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., dyspnoea, asthma, urticaria, angioedema, maculopapular rash) were rarely noted in the first 12 weeks of the controlled clinical studies. The overall incidence of malignancies of any kind was 1.8 per 100 patient-years for efalizumab-treated patients compared with 1.6 per 100 patient-years for placebo-treated patients. One case each of the following serious adverse reactions was observed: transverse myelitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, aseptic meningitis, idiopathic hepatitis, sialedenitis and sensorineural hearing loss. In the complete safety data from both controlled and uncontrolled studies, the overall incidence of hospitalis ation for infections was 1.6 per 100 patient-years for efalizumab-treated patients compared with 1.2 per 100 patient-years for placebo-treated patients. The rate of infection was 26% in the control group and 29% in treated cases. The most common findings on laboratory assessments in patients using efalizumab were reversible increases in lymphocyte count and total white blood cell. Efalizumab is a safe, effective, but expensive treatment for psoriasis.

Immunodeficiency and its relation to lymphoid and other malignancies.

The reasons why immunodeficiency leads to malignant disorders are multifactorial. The overall incidence of malignancies in persons infected with the human deficiency virus (HIV) is estimated to be 40%. Other infecting agents, especially herpesvirus species, play a pivotal role in HIV-associated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Mucosaassociated lymphatic tissue (MALT) lymphoma in the stomach may be a result of a chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative bacterium. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome can be found in a high percentage of lymphoma cells of HIV-NHL (nearly 100% in the primary lymphoma of the CNS and about 50% in all other lymphoma entities). In body-cavity based NHL, characterized by the absence of EBV and c-myc oncogen, sequences of a herpesvirus were identified which corresponds to the gamma-herpes viremia found in KS. The Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) was usually present in primary-effusion lymphoma (PEL). HIV-infection, which causes multiple dysfunctions within the immune system, triggers the cytokine dysregulation. An abnormal endogenous interferon (IFN)-alpha production is observed in HIV-infected patients with KS, especially in the later natural course of the disease. A monitoring of the IFN-system by MxA, a protein specifically induced by IFN's of type I, may be a necessary stratum of identifying patients who show superior effects and the greatest clinical benefit from treatment with IFN-alpha.