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  • What We're Working On
Investigating Links Between Cancer Treatments And Arthritis To Improve Care
Cancer-Treatment-and-Arthritis_PLS-Image
Scientific Study Title:
Identification of immune signatures of rheumatic immune-related adverse events secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Start Date:
  • 2024
End Date:
  • 2026
Research Category
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Why do this research?

This research is crucial because while immune checkpoint inhibitors, a type of cancer treatment, are effective in fighting tumours, they can sometimes trigger inflammatory arthritis. Understanding why this side effect occurs will help doctors develop ways to prevent or treat it without compromising the cancer-fighting benefits of the therapy. This means patients can receive life-saving cancer treatments with a reduced risk of developing arthritis, leading to better overall health and quality of life.

What will be done?

The research team will study blood and tissue samples from cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (a type of cancer treatment). They will compare the samples of those who developed inflammatory arthritis with those who did not, as well as with people who have arthritis not related to cancer, and healthy individuals. By identifying the causes of cancer treatments leading to inflammatory arthritis, they aim to find ways to treat or prevent it while maintaining the effectiveness of the cancer treatments.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • Marie Hudson, MD, MPH, FRCPC, Research Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (McGill University)

Co-Investigators

  • Sabrina Hoa, MD MSc FRCPC, Research Scientist, Arthritis Research Canada (Université de Montréal)
  • Wilson Miller, PhD, (McGill University)
  • Réjean Lapointe, PhD, (Université de Montréal)
  • Sonia Del Rincon, PhD, (McGill University)
  • Khashayar Esfahani, PhD, (McGill University)

How Can People Get Involved?

Dr. Marie Hudson and her research team are leading this study. They are utilizing a large bank of data and samples from cancer patients who have been treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (a type of cancer treatment). The team includes experts in oncology, immunology, and rheumatology, all working together to understand and address the side effects of cancer treatments.

Recruitment is ongoing among cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, Quebec.

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