Management of Rheumatologic Immune-Related Adverse Events (Rh-irAEs) – An Overview of Immunosuppressive Therapies

Authors

  • Shahin Jamal, MD University of British Columbia, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Vancouver, Canada Arthritis Research Canada
  • Jenny Li, MD University of British Columbia, Department of Medicine, Vancouver, Canada
  • Marie Hudson, MD McGill University, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute, Montreal, Canada
  • Carrie Ye, MD University of Alberta, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Edmonton, Canada

Abstract

Cancer treatment has entered a new era with the expanding role of immunotherapy, in particular immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ICIs, including those that target cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), programmed death protein-1 (PD-1), and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), work by blocking the intrinsic down-regulators of the immune system, leading to sustained activation of effector T-cells to enhance endogenous anti-tumour immune responses. 

Author Biographies

Shahin Jamal, MD, University of British Columbia, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Vancouver, Canada Arthritis Research Canada

Shahin Jamal is an active staff rheumatologist at Vancouver Coastal Health. She is Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia, and Clinician Investigator at Arthritis Research Canada. She is the co-principal investigator of CanRIO, the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology. Her interests include diagnosis and prognosis of early inflammatory arthritis, timely assessment and access to case for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatologic immune mediated adverse events associated with immunotherapy in oncology.

Jenny Li, MD, University of British Columbia, Department of Medicine, Vancouver, Canada

Jenny Li is an internal medicine resident at the University of British Columbia. She enjoys participating in the study of rheumatologic diseases and working with CanRIO in doing research in rheumatologic immune related adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Marie Hudson, MD, McGill University, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Jewish General Hospital and Lady Davis Institute, Montreal, Canada

Dr. Marie Hudson is a rheumatologist and epidemiologist affiliated with the Jewish General Hospital and the Lady Davis Institute in Montreal. She is also an associate professor and member of the Division of Experimental Medicine in the Department of Medicine at McGill University. Her research focuses on systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. 

Carrie Ye, MD, University of Alberta, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Edmonton, Canada

Carrie Ye is a rheumatologist at the University of Alberta Hospital/Kaye Edmonton Clinic. Her clinical and research interests lie at the intersection of rheumatology and oncology-specifically how cancer therapies affect bone and joints. She is the medical director of the KEC Multidisciplinary Bone Health Clinic and the program director of the Northern Alberta Osteoporosis Program. She sits on the Scientific Advisory Committee of CanRIO as the Clinical Lead.

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Published

2024-04-23

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Jamal S, Li J, Hudson M, Ye C. Management of Rheumatologic Immune-Related Adverse Events (Rh-irAEs) – An Overview of Immunosuppressive Therapies. Can Rheumatol Today [Internet]. 2024 Apr. 23 [cited 2024 Jul. 27];1(1):34–39. Available from: https://canadianrheumatologytoday.com/article/view/1-1-Jamal_et_al

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