Research Ongoing

Investigating Links Between Cancer Treatments And Arthritis To Improve Care

Scientific Study Title:

Identification of immune signatures of rheumatic immune-related adverse events secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors

Start Date:

January 2024

End Date:

December 2026

Research Category

Health Habits & Wellbeing, Prevention of Arthritis and Complications

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Why do this research?

Reason For 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.

Methodology

Execution of Research

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.

Who is involved?

Involvement

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.

Related Publications

Barber CEH, Schieir O, Lacaille D, Marshall DA, Barnabe C, Hazlewood G, Thorne JC. Ahluwalia V, Bartlett SJ, Boire G, Haraoui B, Hitchon C, Keystone E, Tin D, Pope JE, Denning L, Bykerk VP, Canadian Early Arthritis Cohort Investigators (2018). High Adherence to System-Level Performance Measures for Rheumatoid Arthritis in a National Early Arthritis Cohort Over Eight Years. Arthritis care & research, 70(6), 842–850. https://doi.org/10.1002/acr.23439

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

While women are more commonly affected with rheumatoid arthritis, this sex difference is not present in the setting of inflammatory arthritis triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors. Also, the risk of developing inflammatory arthritis triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors varies according to ethnicity. The Jewish General Hospital’s patient population is renowned for its extremely diverse ethnic diversity. Our study will give us a unique opportunity to study sex, gender- and ethnic-related factors related to inflammatory arthritis triggered by immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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