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 canceling the cancer cells' negative regulation of the immune system and strengthen the immune cells' defense against cancer. As an unwanted effect, immune-related side effects (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 meet the lack of knowledge.
The purpose of the study is to describe the clinical presentation and disease course of rheumatic immune-related side effects as well as 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 a flare-up of pre-existing rheumatic disease.
Recruitment of participants continues until 31 December 2023.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INCLUDE?
The patients are followed in RIMRA for a year and 4 study visits are carried out. Clinical data is collected and laboratory samples are taken, as well as plasma, serum and whole blood for the biobank. The patients are treated according to current treatment guidelines.