Introduction
Whether using immunomodulators (IMM) or biologics after a first cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients (pts) may increase the risk of new or recurrent cancer is undefined.
Aims & Methods
The primary aim was to assess the frequency of new or recurrent cancer in IBD pts treated with IMM or biologics after a previous diagnosis of cancer. The secondary aim was to evaluate the cancer-related mortality in IBD pts treated with IMM and biologics after the first cancer. In a retrospective, multicentre study, clinical records of all IBD pts treated with IMM or biologics after a previous diagnosis of cancer were reviewed. Inclusion criteria:1) Diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC); 2)Cancer history;3)IMM or biologics used after a first cancer;4)IBD and cancer data recorded; 5)Follow-up after cancer ≥4 months (mos). Exclusion criteria:1) IMM used for ≤3 mos. Data considered: IBD features,cancer type,IBD duration, age at diagnosis of cancer, follow-up after cancer,cancer-related death.Data expressed as median [range].
Results
75 IBD pts (57 CD,18 UC) treated with IMM or biologics after a first diagnosis of cancer were enrolled (n [%]: F 36 [48%];age 61 [26-89] yrs).CD features included (n=):L1 (37);L2 (2);L3 (16);L4 (8);B1 (17);B2 (30);B3 (10).UC extent included: E1 (2),E2 (8), E3 (8). Cancer in IBD pts treated with IMM/biologics included (n [%]):basal cell carcinoma (BCC) 14 (18.4%), breast 9 (12%),colorectal 9 (12%),melanoma 8 (10.7%),prostatic or testicular 7 (9.3%), urinary tract 7 (9.3%),thyroid 6 (8%),squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 4 (5.3%),endometrial 2 (2.7%),hematopoietic 4 (5.3%),others 7 (9.3%).In 2 (2.7%) pts, ≥2 cancers occurred. The median time interval between index cancer and ISS/biologics use was 38 mos [0-428]. IMM after cancer were used for a median of 32.5 [4-131] mos, including: methotrexate (MTX) in 13 (17.3%),thiopurines in 8 (10.7%),mycophenolate mofetil,tacrolimus or everolimus in 3 (4%) pts.Biologics were used after cancer for a median of 36 [3-194] mos:Ustekinumab (UST) in 24 (32%),Vedolizumab (VDZ) in 31 (41.3%),Adalimumab (ADA) in 17 (22.7%), Infliximab (IFX) in 12 (16%),Tofacitinib (Tofa) in 2 (2.7%),Golimumab in 1 (1.3%) pt. Both IMM and biologics were used after a first cancer in 15 (20%),while ≥2 biologics in 16 (%) pts.In a median follow up of 95 [4-509] mos after the first cancer, 8 (10.7%) IBD pts developed a new and/or recurrent cancer after IMM/biologics use.In particular, cancer recurred in 3 (4%) pts (1 melanoma,1 prostatic,1 colonic adenocarcinoma), while new cases of cancer occurred in 6 (8%) pts,all 6 represented by non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (both recurrent and new cancer in 1 pt).A not significant trend for a higher frequency of new vs recurrent cancer (p=0.47) was observed.No cancer-related death were observed.
New and recurrent cancers after IMM/biologics
| First cancer | IMM | Biologics | New cancer | Recurrent cancer |
| Prostatic | - | UST,VDZ | BCC | Prostatic |
| Hepatocellular | Tacrolimus | VDZ | SCC | - |
| Colonic | MTX | VDZ | - | Colonic |
| BCC | - | ADA | BCC | - |
| BCC | - | ADA | BCC | - |
| Urinary tract | MTX | VDZ,TOFA | SCC | - |
| Melanoma | Thiopurines | UST,VDZ | BCC | Melanoma |
| Testicular | Thiopurines | IFX,ADA,VDZ | Cardiac Myxoma | - |
Conclusion
In a retrospective multicentre study, a low frequency of recurrent cancer was observed in IBD pts using IMM or biologics after the first cancer. A not significant trend for a higher frequency of new vs recurrent cancer (p=0.47) was observed, being almost all new cancers represented by NMSC.