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Review
. 2022;8(4):91-104.
doi: 10.1007/s40674-022-00197-2. Epub 2022 Oct 21.

Management of Cancer-Associated Myositis

Albert Selva-O'Callaghan  1 , Ernesto Trallero-Araguás  2 , Javier Ros  3 , Albert Gil-Vila  1 , Julia Lostes  3 , Antonia Agustí  4 , Judit Riera-Arnau  4 , Marcelo Alvarado-Cárdenas  5 , Iago Pinal-Fernandez  6   7   8
Affiliations
Review

Management of Cancer-Associated Myositis

Albert Selva-O'Callaghan et al. Curr Treatm Opt Rheumatol. 2022.

Abstract

Purpose of the review: Cancer-associated myositis (CAM) is defined as when cancer appears within 3 years of myositis onset. Dermatomyositis and seronegative immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy are the phenotypes mostly related to cancer. In general, treatment principles in myositis patients with and without CAM are similar. However, some aspects of myositis management are particular to CAM, including (a) the need for a multidisciplinary approach and a close relationship with the oncologist, (b) the presence of immunosuppressive and antineoplastic drug interactions, and (c) the role of the long-term immunosuppressive therapy as a risk factor for cancer relapse or development of a second neoplasm. In this review, we will also discuss immunotherapy in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors as a treatment for their cancer.

Recent findings: Studies on cancer risk in patients treated with long-term immunosuppressive drugs, in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis, and in solid organ transplant recipients have shed some light on this topic. Immunotherapy, which has been a great advance for the treatment of some types of malignancy, may be also of interest in CAM, given the special relationship between both disorders.

Summary: Management of CAM is a challenge. In this complex scenario, therapeutic decisions must consider both diseases simultaneously.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40674-022-00197-2.

Keywords: Cancer-associated myositis; Checkpoint inhibitors; Chemotherapy; Immunosuppressive drugs; Malignancy; Outcome.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Albert Selva-O’Callaghan declares that he has no conflict of interest. Ernesto Trallero-Araguás declares that he has no conflict of interest. Javier Ros declares that he has no conflict of interest. Albert Gil-Vila declares that he has no conflict of interest. Julia Lostes declares that she has no conflict of interest. Antonia Agustí declares that she has no conflict of interest. Judit Riera-Arnau declares that she has no conflict of interest. Marcelo Alvarado-Cárdenas declares that he has no conflict of interest. Iago Pinal-Fernandez declares that he has no conflict of interest.

References

References and Recommended Reading

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance
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