RIMRA
Rheumatic immune-related side effects in patients treated with immunotherapy
Project Manager
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a form of immunotherapy that has led to groundbreaking results in cancer treatment in recent years. ICIs work by reversing the negative regulation of the immune system by cancer cells and strengthen the immune cells' defense against cancer. As an unwanted effect, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) can occur in almost all organ systems. 5 -10% of patients develop inflammatory rheumatic disease, and these represent a completely new group of patients. There is a great need for more knowledge about this patient group and the RIMRA study was initiated to address the knowledge gap.
The purpose of the study is to describe the clinical presentation and disease course of rheumatic immune-related adverse events and to evaluate the effect of anti-inflammatory treatment.
WHO CAN JOIN?
Patients who have received treatment with checkpoint inhibitors for cancer and who have symptoms of new-onset rheumatic disease or flare-ups of pre-existing rheumatic disease.
Recruitment of participants is ongoing until December 31, 2023.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
Patients are followed in RIMRA for a year and 4 study visits are conducted. Clinical data are collected and laboratory samples, as well as plasma, serum and whole blood for biobanking, are taken. Patients are treated according to current treatment guidelines.