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AAN 2024: Are cancer treatments safe in patients with MS?

April 18, 2024

In this multi-institutional study of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), investigators found that in those who were not on disease modifying therapy, MS relapses and disease progression following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) treatment were uncommon.

• Researchers identified 38 patients (71% female, median age 66 years) with MS (33 relapsing remitting, 4 progressive, and 1 radiologically isolated syndrome) who were treated with ICIs. Thirteen (34%) people with MS were on disease modifying therapy (DMT) immediately prior to ICI initiation and only 8 continued DMT during ICI therapy.
• The most common primary tumors were lung (29%) and melanoma (26%).
• Only 1 person with MS (2.6%) had a relapse following ICI treatment and 1 patient had ongoing progressive disease, during mean of 13 months of follow-up after ICI initiation.
• Two patients (5%) had peripheral nervous system ICI immune-related adverse events (irAEs), and 12 (32%) had a non-neurologic ICI irAEs.
• Thirteen (34%) subjects had either partial or complete remission of their cancer at last follow up.

Source:

Carson, Q. Multi-institutional Study of Neurologic Outcomes in People with Multiple Sclerosis Who Are Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors for Oncologic Indications. Presented at: 2024 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 13-18; Denver, CO. https://index.mirasmart.com/AAN2024/PDFfiles/AAN2024-006774.html