Cancer incidence in multiple sclerosis and effects of immunomodulatory treatments

Cancer Risk Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A 10-Year Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Previous literature has been diverging on cancer risk in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Therefore, this study compared the risk of cancer in PwMS and a matched sample from the French general population.

METHODS

This 10-year nationwide retrospective matched cohort study (2012-2021) used data from the national French administrative health care database (99% coverage of the French population) to determine the time to the first incident cancer. PwMS were identified using their long-term disease (LTD) status, hospitalizations, and multiple sclerosis (MS)-specific drug reimbursements. The control population was matched 4:1 on age, sex, residence, insurance scheme, and cohort entry date. Participants were included if they had no history of cancer in the 3 years before inclusion. Patients with cancer were identified through LTD status, hospitalizations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or prostate cancer-specific drug reimbursements. Overall and cancer location-specific hazard ratios (HRs) for the first incident cancer were obtained from Fine and Gray models, and age- and sex-stratified estimates were reported. Participation in cancer screening through the 3 national programs (breast, colorectal, and cervical) were compared between groups.

RESULTS

Cancer incidence was 799 per 100,000 person-years (PYs) (n = 8,368) among the 140,649 PwMS and 736 per 100,000 PYs (n = 31,796) among the 562,596 matched controls (70.8% of women; follow-up: 7.6 ± 3.2 years). A small overall risk increase was observed for PwMS (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03-1.08), mostly in women (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05-1.11). Risk varied by cancer types and was lower for prostate (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.73-0.88), breast (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.86-0.95), and colorectal (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.97) cancer and higher for bladder (HR 1.71, 95% CI 1.54-1.89), brain (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.42-1.98), and cervical (HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.38) cancer in PwMS. Cancer risk was higher in PwMS younger than 55 years (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.15-1.24) but decreased in PwMS aged 65 years and older (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.85-0.94). This trend was found in all cancer locations. There were fewer PwMS getting screened than controls (all programs), with a particularly pronounced difference among those aged 65 years and older.

DISCUSSION

Cancer risk was slightly increased in PwMS, particularly for urogenital cancers, possibly due to surveillance bias. Risk fluctuated depending on age, perhaps due to varying generational screening practices (i.e., diagnosis neglect in the older PwMS) and risk factors.

Risk of cancer development associated with disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis: study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised studies

BACKGROUND

The association between cancer and multiple sclerosis has long been investigated. Several studies and reviews have examined the risk of cancer among patients with multiple sclerosis treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) but with conflicting results. This study will aim to investigate the association between DMTs for multiple sclerosis and subsequent cancer risk using research synthesis methods.

METHODS/DESIGN

We designed and registered a study protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. We will include randomised and non-randomised trials, prospective or retrospective cohort studies, and case-control studies of treatment with DMTs compared with placebo, no treatment, or another active agent. The primary outcome will be the risk of cancer (all-malignant neoplasms) in association with the exposure of DMTs. Secondary outcomes will include site-specific cancers (e.g. breast cancer). Literature searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases (from their inception onwards), including the following: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Two researchers will screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data independently. The risk of bias (quality) of individual studies will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will use a two-stage approach to evidence synthesis: (1) Peto's method for meta-analysis of data from randomised trials alone; and (2) Random-effects model for meta-analysis adding data from non-randomised studies. We will calculate odds ratios and their associated 95% confidence intervals. Potential sources of heterogeneity will be explored in additional analyses (e.g. subgroups considering different DMTs individually, mechanism of action, type of control, length of follow-up, mode of treatment).

DISCUSSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised and non-randomised studies will provide an updated synthesis of the risk of cancer associated with DMTs for adult patients with multiple sclerosis. This study will also examine some factors that may explain potential variations across studies. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/v4sez ).

Cancer and multiple sclerosis: 2023 recommendations from the French Multiple Sclerosis Society

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological data reveal that 45% of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in France are more than 50 years. This population more than 50 is more susceptible to cancer, and this risk may be increased by frequent use of immunosuppressive drugs. Consequently, concerns have arisen about the potential increased risk of cancer in PwMS and how patients should be screened and managed in terms of cancer risk.

OBJECTIVE

To develop evidence-based recommendations to manage the coexistence of cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

The French Group for Recommendations in MS collected articles from PubMed and university databases covering the period January 1975 through June 2022. The RAND/UCLA method was employed to achieve formal consensus. MS experts comprehensively reviewed the full-text articles and developed the initial recommendations. A group of multidisciplinary health care specialists then validated the final proposal.

RESULTS

Five key questions were addressed, encompassing various topics such as cancer screening before or after initiating a disease-modifying therapy (DMT), appropriate management of MS in the context of cancer, recommended follow-up for cancer in patients receiving a DMT, and the potential reintroduction of a DMT after initial cancer treatment. A strong consensus was reached for all 31 recommendations.

CONCLUSION

These recommendations propose a strategic approach to managing cancer risk in PwMS.

Cancer risk, disease-modifying therapy, and age in multiple sclerosis: A retrospective population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long-term population-based safety studies are needed to investigate cancer outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with modern disease-modifying therapy (DMT).

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if exposure to DMT increases the risk of invasive cancer in MS.

METHODS

We used population-based administrative health data from Alberta, Canada between 2008 and 2018. DMT exposure was defined in two ways: first as exposure to any DMT, and second by DMT type (modulating, sequestering, depleting). Study outcome was time to first diagnosis of invasive cancer. Cancer risk was compared to the general population using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and to the unexposed MS cases using hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

The analysis included 14,313 MS cases: 5,801 (40.5 %) were exposed to DMT. Median (interquartile range) follow-up was 8.4 (4.3, 10.4) years. Compared to the general population, there was no difference in cancer risk for the overall MS population (SIR: 0.94, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 0.87, 1.02) or the DMT-exposed MS cases (SIR: 0.89; 95 % CI: 0.75, 1.05). Compared to unexposed MS cases, we found an interaction with age for exposure to any DMT (p = 0.001) and modulating DMT (p = 0.001), indicating that a difference in the risk of cancer associated with DMT depends on age. Cancer risk was not associated with exposure to sequestering DMT (HR: 1.28, 95 % CI: 0.78, 2.08) or depleting DMT (HR: 2.29, 95 % CI: 0.86, 6.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer risk for MS patients was similar to the general population. In the MS population, the age-dependent effect of DMT for cancer risk suggests a higher risk of cancer with age 62 or older and a protective effect at younger age. Further investigation is required to clarify whether the interaction between DMT exposure and age is a causal effect.

Association between multiple sclerosis and cancer risk: An extensive review/meta and Mendelian randomization analyses

BACKGROUND

Observational investigations examining cancer risk among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients have produced contradictory findings. Herein, we performed an extensive review and meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation and causation between MS and cancer incidence.

METHODS

We systematically screened for published articles examining cancer incidences among MS patients within the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases. Next, we employed STATA v.16.0 for data analysis. Following meta-analysis, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to uncover the underlying mechanism behind the MS-mediated regulation of certain cancers.

RESULTS

Overall, we selected 18 articles encompassing 14 individual cancers incidences and a total of 368,952 patients for meta-analysis. Based on our analysis, there was reduced pancreatic (ES = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49-0.93; I 2 = 0%) and ovarian cancer (ES = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.53-0.80; I 2 = 86.7%) co-occurrences among MS patients. Meanwhile, the incidences of breast (ES = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.21; I 2 = 60.9%) and brain cancers (ES = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.12-3.37; I 2 = 56.1%) were elevated among the same population. However, MR analysis revealed the opposite relation between MS and breast cancer risk (OR = 0.94392; 95% CI: 0.91011-0.97900, P = 0.002). Moreover, it revealed strong incidence of lung cancer (OR = 1.0004; 95% CI: 1.0001-1.0083, P = 0.001) among MS patients, as evidenced by the inverse variance weighting estimator. Lastly, MR found that other forms of cancers were not significantly related to MS.

CONCLUSIONS

Using meta-analysis, we demonstrated that MS patients exhibited enhanced pancreatic and ovarian cancer risk, and diminished breast and brain cancer risk. However, using MR analysis, we discovered an inverse relation between MS and breast cancer risk, and additionally saw an uptick in lung cancer co-occurrence among MS patients.

Risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer in women with multiple sclerosis exposed to high efficacy disease modifying therapies

There is a growing need to better understand the risk of malignancy in the multiple sclerosis (MS) population, particularly given the relatively recent and widespread introduction of immunomodulating disease modifying therapies (DMTs). Multiple sclerosis disproportionately affects women, and the risk of gynecological malignancies, specifically cervical pre-cancer and cancer, are of particular concern. The causal relationship between persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer has been definitively established. To date, there is limited data on the effect of MS DMTs on the risk of persistent HPV infection and subsequent progression to cervical pre-cancer and cancer. This review evaluates the risk of cervical pre-cancer and cancer in women with MS, including the risk conferred by DMTs. We examine additional factors, specific to the MS population, that alter the risk of developing cervical cancer including participation in HPV vaccination and cervical screening programs.

Multiple sclerosis and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of observational and Mendelian randomization studies

Background

Several observational studies have explored the relationships between multiple sclerosis (MS) and breast cancer; however, whether an association exists remains unknown.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies and Mendelian randomization (MR) based on genetic variants to identify the relationship between MS and breast cancer. The observational studies were searched from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus to assess the relationship between MS and breast cancer from inception to 07 Nov 2022. Moreover, we explored the association between genetically pre-disposed MS and breast cancer risk based on an MR study. The summary analysis for MS from two separate databases [International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (IMSGC), FinnGen] and the summary analysis for breast cancer from Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

Results

Fifteen cohort studies involving 173,565 female MS patients were included in this meta-analysis. The correlation between MS and breast cancer was not statistically significant [relative ratio (RR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.99-1.17]. In the MR analysis, we did not observe causal associations of genetically determined MS with breast cancer and its subtypes from both the IMSGC and FinnGen datasets.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis of observational and MR based on genetic variants does not support the correlation between MS and breast cancer.

Incidence of malignancies in patients with multiple sclerosis versus a healthy matched cohort: A population-based cohort study in the Netherlands using the PHARMO Database Network

This study estimated the incidence of malignancy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) versus a matched general population cohort in the Netherlands. Adults with a diagnosis of MS between 2006 and 2014 in the General Practitioner (GP) Database of the PHARMO Database Network with ≥ 1 year of patient history were matched to four non-MS individuals based on year of birth, sex, and GP practice. Patients were followed-up until the earliest malignancy diagnosis, death, or end of data collection. Age-adjusted incidence rates (IR) were measured overall and by cancer type. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated as the ratio of stratification-specific IRs in the MS and non-MS cohorts. A total of 1,692 MS patients were matched to 6,768 non-MS patients. Age-adjusted IR of any malignancy, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (n = 27), in the MS cohort was 48.3 (95%CI:30.1-66.5) per 10,000 PY. An increased incidence of any malignancy was observed in the MS cohort versus the non-MS cohort (SIR 1.8 [95%CI:1.1-2.5]). The most commonly observed malignancies in the MS cohort were breast cancer (n = 8; IR 20.4 [95%CI:6.3-34.5] per 10,000 PY) and melanoma (n = 6; IR 14.8 [95%CI:3.0-26.7] per 10,000 PY). The corresponding SIR observed between cohorts was 1.4 (95%CI:0.4-2.4) and 3.4 (95%CI:0.7-6.2), respectively. While the small increased incidence of malignancy in the MS cohort could be an artefact created by a different distribution of risk factors, an increased incidence of malignancy in MS patients in the Netherlands cannot be excluded.

Association Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Cancer Morbidity and Mortality: Findings From Cohort Studies

Background

Observational studies suggested that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) might be associated with increased cancer incidence and cancer-related death, however, the results are inconsistent. We aim to comprehensively estimate the causal relationships between SLE and cancer morbidity and mortality using a meta-analysis of cohort studies and Mendelian randomization.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted using PubMed to identify cohort studies published before January 21, 2021. Meta-analysis was performed to calculate relative risk (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). In addition, we further evaluated the potentially causal relationships identified by cohort studies using two-sample Mendelian randomization.

Results

A total of 48 cohort studies involving 247,575 patients were included. We performed 31 main meta-analysis to assess the cancer risk and three meta-analyses to evaluate cancer mortality in SLE patients. Through meta-analyses, we observed an increased risk of overall cancer (RR=1.62, 95%CI, 1.47-1.79, P<0.001) and cancer-related death (RR=1.52, 95%CI, 1.36-1.70, P<0.001) in patients with SLE. Subgroup analysis by site-specific cancer showed that SLE was a risk factor for 17 site-specific cancers, including six digestive cancers (esophagus, colon, anus, hepatobiliary, liver, pancreatic), five hematologic cancers (lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma), as well as cancer in lung, larynx, cervical, vagina/vulva, renal, bladder, skin, and thyroid. In addition, further mendelian randomization analysis verified a weakly association between genetically predisposed SLE and lymphoma risk (odds ratio=1.0004, P=0.0035).

Conclusions

Findings from our study suggest an important role of SLE in carcinogenesis, especially for lymphoma.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42021243635.

Incidence and risk of cancer among Multiple Sclerosis patients: a matched population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Studies have not yet found conclusive results on the risk of cancer in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to compare the incidence of all cancers and of specific types of cancer between MS patients and the general population by age and by sex.

METHODS

All prevalent MS patients identified between 2008-2014 in the nationwide French healthcare database (SNDS) and without history of malignancy, were included in a cohort study followed-up until cancer occurrence, date of death or 31 December 2015, whichever came first. MS patients were matched based on sex and year of birth, to non-MS controls from the general population without cancer before index date. Incidence rate was reported per 100,000 person-year (PY) and risk of cancer was estimated by type of cancer, age and sex using a Cox model (Hazard Ratio, HRs and its 95% confidence intervals, 95%CI).

RESULTS

Overall, 576 cancers per 100,000 PY were observed in MS patients versus 424 per 100,000 PY in the control population. The risk of cancer was higher among MS patients than among population controls whether considered overall (HR: 1.36, 95%CI: 1.29-1.43) or for prostate (HR: 2.08, 95%CI: 1.68-2.58), colorectal and anal (HR: 1.35, 95%CI: 1.16-1.58), trachea bronchus and lung (HR: 2.36, 95%CI: 1.96-2.84), and to a lesser extent, breast cancer (HR: 1.12, 95%CI: 1.03-1.23).

CONCLUSION

MS patients were associated with increased risk of cancer compared to population controls.

Incidence of malignancy in multiple sclerosis: A cohort study in the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Registry

Background

The association between multiple sclerosis and malignancy is controversial and a current appraisal is needed.

Objective

To determine the incidence of malignancy in patients with multiple sclerosis compared with the general population and in relation to disease-modifying therapy.

Methods

Patients with multiple sclerosis (1995 – 2015) were matched by birth year and sex to individuals without multiple sclerosis in the general population. Patients with multiple sclerosis initiating disease-modifying therapy were evaluated using landmark period analysis. Malignancy risk was assessed by incidence rates, incidence rate ratios, and standardised incidence ratios.

Results

The standardised incidence ratio of any malignancy (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in patients with multiple sclerosis (n = 10,557) was 0.96 (95% CI 0.88 – 1.06), and there was no increased incidence of specific malignancy types compared with the general population cohort (n = 103,761). At the 48-month landmark period, the age-adjusted incidence per 100,000 person-years of any malignancy (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) was 436.7 (95% CI 361.0 – 512.4) in patients newly treated with immunomodulator-only and 675.1 (95% CI 130.4 – 1219.9) in patients newly treated with immunosuppressant-only.

Conclusions

There was no increased incidence of malignancy overall or by type in patients with multiple sclerosis compared neither with the general population nor in relation to disease-modifying therapy.

Breast Carcinoma After Ocrelizumab Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Case Series and Literature Review

Ocrelizumab is a humanized CD20 monoclonal antibody which was approved for management of Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) in 2017. We present 2 patients, a 67-year-old woman with history of PPMS and a 42-year-old woman with RRMS, who were started on ocrelizumab and were diagnosed with invasive ductal cell breast carcinoma after 2 years of ocrelizumab infusion followed by discontinuation of the drug. Large trials conducted for ocrelizumab showed malignancies in a total of 4 cases with RRMS in OPERA 1 trial conducted over 2 years from 2011 to 2013 (breast cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and melanomas) and in 11 cases with PPMS seen in ORATORIO trial conducted in 2017. There are currently no other published case reports of breast cancer in setting of ocrelizumab use for MS outside of large trials on literature review.

Association Between Disease-Modifying Therapies Prescribed to Persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer: a WHO Pharmacovigilance Database Analysis

The risk of cancer associated with persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) prescribed with disease modifying therapies (DMTs) is not well established. This observational, cross-sectional, pharmacovigilance cohort study examined individual case safety reports from the World Health Organization database: VigiBase®. All consecutive reports of DMTs prescribed to pwMS (alemtuzumab, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, glatiramer acetate, interferon-β, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, and teriflunomide), and their serious adverse event cases were eligible, excluding those reporting immunosuppressant DMTs used as anticancer therapies. The primary outcome was the multivariate odds ratio of cancer reporting (r-OR) for DMTs prescribed to pwMS after imputation of missing data. There were 5966 cancer cases from 240,993 reports of DMTs prescribed to pwMS. After adjustments on age, sex, and geographical region, natalizumab (r-OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.63-1.87), interferon-β (r-OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.30-1.49), dimethyl fumarate (r-OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.25-1.46), and fingolimod (r-OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.24) were significantly associated with a greater cancer reporting, whereas alemtuzumab, glatiramer acetate, ocrelizumab, and teriflunomide were not, in the disproportionality analysis. As exploratory analyses, upper aerodigestive tract, breast, urinary including the male genitourinary tract, and nervous system cancers were associated with natalizumab, interferon-β, and dimethyl fumarate. Fingolimod was only associated with skin cancer types. Cancer cases reporting these four DMTs prescribed to pwMS were younger in age than for non-pwMS drugs in the VigiBase® (p < 0.0001). A close and regular cancer screening in pwMS treated with natalizumab, interferon-β, dimethyl fumarate, and fingolimod may be warranted, even for persons at a younger age. Trial Registration NCT04237337.

Potential risk of disease modifying therapies on neoplasm development and coadjutant factors in multiple sclerosis outpatients

Neoplasm development in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) has been widely discussed. The aim of this work is to determine neoplasm frequency, relationship with the prescription pattern of DMTs, and influence of the patients’ baseline characteristics. Data from 250 MS outpatients were collected during the period 1981–2019 from the medical records of the Neurology Service of the HUPM (Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar)—in Southern Spain—and analysed using Cox models. Neoplasm prevalence was 24%, mainly located on the skin, with cancer prevalence as expected for MS (6.8%). Latency period from MS onset to neoplasm diagnosis was 10.4 ± 6.9 years (median 9.30 [0.9–30.5]). During the observation period β-IFN (70.4% of patients), glatiramer acetate (30.4%), natalizumab (16.8%), fingolimod (24.8%), dimethyl fumarate (24.0%), alemtuzumab (6.0%), and teriflunomide (4.8%) were administered as monotherapy. Change of pattern in step therapy was significantly different in cancer patients vs unaffected individuals (p = 0.011) (29.4% did not receive DMTs [p = 0.000]). Extended Cox model: Smoking (HR = 3.938, CI 95% 1.392–11.140, p = 0.010), being female (HR = 2.006, 1.070–3.760, p = 0.030), and age at MS diagnosis (AGE-DG) (HR = 1.036, 1.012–1.061, p = 0.004) were risk factors for neoplasm development. Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) phenotype (HR = 0.179, 0.042–0.764, p = 0.020) and treatment-time with IFN (HR = 0.923, 0.873–0.977, p = 0.006) or DMF (HR = 0.725, 0.507–1.036, p = 0.077) were protective factors. Tobacco and IFN lost their negative/positive influence as survival time increased. Cox PH model: Tobacco/AGE-DG interaction was a risk factor for cancer (HR = 1.099, 1.001–1.208, p = 0.049), followed by FLM treatment-time (HR = 1.219, 0.979–1.517). In conclusion, smoking, female sex, and AGE-DG were risk factors, and SPMS and IFN treatment-time were protective factors for neoplasm development; smoking/AGE-DG interaction was the main cancer risk factor.

Disease-modifying agents for multiple sclerosis and the risk for reporting cancer: A disproportionality analysis using the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database

AIM

While the efficacy of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is established, little is known about their long-term safety. Cancer-risk after DMT use remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the prescription of DMTs for patients with MS increases the risk of reporting cancer.

METHODS

Data from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System were extracted from 2004 to 2020. After data cleaning, the crude and adjusted reported odds ratios (cROR and aROR) for cancer were calculated for DMTs with Interferon beta-1a as the reference drug. Sensitivity analyses investigated the group of reports with multiple registered DMTs, the effect of indication restriction and the results when using the rest of the DMTs as reference.

RESULTS

For malignant tumours, aROR (95% confidence interval [CI]) values were Cladribine 0.46 (0.18-0.95), Dimethyl fumarate 0.30 (0.27-0.34), Fingolimod 0.61 (0.53-0.70), Glatiramer 0.50 (0.43-0.58), Alemtuzumab 0.84 (0.64-1.08), Interferon beta-1b 0.49 (0.42-0.56), Natalizumab 0.36 (0.34-0.39), Ocrelizumab 0.48 (0.29-0.74), Peginterferon beta-1a 0.35 (0.26-0.48), Siponimod 0.89 (0.47-1.54) and Teriflunomide 0.25(0.21-0.30) adjusted to age, gender and concomitant medications. In the sensitivity analysis, when the rest of the drugs were used as a reference, Interferon beta-1a and Peginterferon beta-1a had aROR (95% CI) 2.60 (2.47-2.74, P < .001) and Alemtuzumab had aROR 1.47 (1.13-1.88, I = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

No safety signal for increased cancer risk was detected among the approved DMTs. A potential safety signal detected in the sensitivity analysis concerning Interferon beta-1a and Alemtuzumab requires further evaluation with more robust evidence.

Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in Multiple Sclerosis: A Matched Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether cancer risk differs in people with and without multiple sclerosis (MS), we compared incidence rates and cancer-specific mortality rates in MS and matched cohorts using population-based data sources.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study using population-based administrative data from Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. We applied a validated case definition to identify MS cases, then selected 5 controls without MS matched on birth year, sex, and region. We linked these cohorts to cancer registries, and estimated incidence of breast, colorectal, and 13 other cancers. For breast and colorectal cancers, we constructed Cox models adjusting for age at the index date, area-level socioeconomic status, region, birth cohort year, and comorbidity. We pooled findings across provinces using meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We included 53,983 MS cases and 269,915 controls. Multivariable analyses showed no difference in breast cancer risk (pooled hazard ratio [HR] 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78-1.09]) or colorectal cancer risk (pooled HR 0.83 [95% CI 0.64-1.07]) between the cohorts. Mortality rates for breast and colorectal did not differ between cohorts. Bladder cancer incidence and mortality rates were higher among the MS cohort. Although the incidence of prostate, uterine, and CNS cancers differed between the MS and matched cohorts, mortality rates did not.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of breast and colorectal cancers does not differ between persons with and without MS; however, the incidence of bladder cancer is increased. Reported differences in the incidence of some cancers in the MS population may reflect ascertainment differences rather than true differences.

Parity and disability progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

AIM

It is unclear whether parity and increasing parity are risk factors for long-term disability progression in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, data on the effects of immunomodulatory treatments in this context are limited.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between parity and long-term neurological sequela among relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

METHODS

A cohort study including all women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Israel registered in Sheba Medical Center Multiple Sclerosis data registry from 1995 to 2018. The risks of progression to moderate and severe disability according to parity after disease onset were evaluated. Cox regression models using childbirth as a time-dependent covariate were used to study the association between parity and disability progression.

RESULTS

During the 26,785 person-years of follow-up a total of 2281 women were included in the study. Parity was associated with decreased risk of progression to moderate (adj.HR, 0.68; 95% CI 0.54-0.85, P = 0.001) but not to severe disability (adj.HR, 0.88; 95% CI 0.68-1.14, P = 0.36). Hazard ratios for progression to moderate and severe disability were comparable between women with one, two, and three or more births. In a subgroup analysis of women who gave birth within 5 years of disease onset, immunomodulatory treatment did not affect moderate or severe disability-free survival.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that childbirth after the onset of multiple sclerosis is associated with a decreased risk of progression to moderate neurological disability.

Multiple Sclerosis and Cancer: The Ying-Yang Effect of Disease Modifying Therapies

Over the past two decades, the field of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been transformed by the rapidly expanding arsenal of new disease modifying therapies (DMTs). Current DMTs for MS aim to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses toward a less inflammatory phenotype. Since the immune system is also critical for identifying and eliminating malignant cells, immunosuppression from DMTs may predictably increase the risk of cancer development in MS patients. Compared with healthy controls, patients with autoimmune conditions, such as MS, may already have a higher risk of developing certain malignancies and this risk may further be magnified by DMT treatments. For those patients who develop both MS and cancer, these comorbid presentations create a challenge for clinicians on how to therapeutically address management of cancer in the context of MS autoimmunity. As there are currently no accepted guidelines for managing MS patients with prior history of or newly developed malignancy, we undertook this review to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of current DMTs and their potential for instigating and treating cancer in patients living with MS.

Cancer Risk in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Potential Impact of Disease-Modifying Drugs

In the 1990s, the first disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) were injectable immunomodulatory (IM) drugs, including four different interferon-β preparations and glatiramer acetate. Since 2000, more than 15 immunosuppressant (IS) drugs have been used, with a more or less specific action on inflammation. These include monoclonal antibodies targeting CTL4, the integrin receptor, the interleukin (IL)-2 receptor, CD19, CD20, CD52, and the sphingosine 1 phosphate family. The association between MS and cancer has long been investigated but has led to conflicting results. No studies have reported an increased risk of cancer after long-term exposure to IM. Several reports suggest an increase in cancer risk among MS patients treated with IS such as mitoxantrone, azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Because of their action on the immune system, and due to a lack of available long-term data, a special warning of the potential risk of cancer accompanies the use of recent IS such as cladribine, fingolimod, natalizumab or alemtuzumab. In most studies, factors such as diet, smoking, solar radiation, and hormone therapy, all of which influence cancer risk, have not been considered. For fingolimod, natalizumab, alemtuzumab, dimethyl fumarate, teriflunomide, daclizumab and ocrelizumab, risk management plans outlined by regulatory agencies are mandatory. They allow prospective detection of some red flags, in particular those for the increased risk of cancer. We review the current evidence behind the increased risk of malignancy in MS patients receiving DMTs, and provide an overview of the DMTs that are currently in use and those in clinical trials. The known risks and benefits of these therapies will be considered.

A systems medicine approach reveals disordered immune system and lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis patients

Identification of autoimmune processes and introduction of new autoantigens involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be helpful in the design of new drugs to prevent unresponsiveness and side effects in patients. To find significant changes, we evaluated the autoantibody repertoires in newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting MS patients (NDP) and those receiving disease-modifying therapy (RP). Through a random peptide phage library, a panel of NDP- and RP-specific peptides was identified, producing two protein data sets visualized using Gephi, based on protein--protein interactions in the STRING database. The top modules of NDP and RP networks were assessed using Enrichr. Based on the findings, a set of proteins, including ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1), neurogenic locus notch homologue protein 1 (NOTCH1), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (MET), RAF proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase (RAF1) and proto-oncogene vav (VAV1) was found in NDP and was involved in over-represented terms correlated with cell-mediated immunity and cancer. In contrast, transcription factor RelB (RELB), histone acetyltransferase p300 (EP300), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 2 (ACACB), adiponectin (ADIPOQ) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 mitochondrial (PCK2) had major contributions to viral infections and lipid metabolism as significant events in RP. According to these findings, further research is required to demonstrate the pathogenic roles of such proteins and autoantibodies targeting them in MS and to develop therapeutic agents which can ameliorate disease severity.

Association between multiple sclerosis, cancer risk, and immunosuppressant treatment: a cohort study

BACKGROUND

The association between multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer has long been investigated with conflicting results. Several reports suggest an increased cancer risk among MS patients treated with immunosuppressant (IS) drugs.

METHODS

We performed a cohort study including MS patients recruited at the Neurological Department of the University of Palermo. Mean follow-up period was ten years for the whole cohort. We calculated cancer incidence among patients treated with IS. Incidence rates were compared in the cohort by calculating the relative risk according to length and dose of exposure to IS. Cancer incidence among MS patients was compared to cancer incidence in the general population of Sicily in similar age groups.

RESULTS

On an overall cohort of 531 MS patients (346 women and 185 men) exposed to IS, we estimated a crude incidence rate for cancer of 2.26% (2.02% in women, 2.7% in men). Cancer risk was higher compared to rates observed among an equal number of patients not exposed to IS, and to the risk in the general population in Sicily at similar age groups (adjusted HR: 11.05; CI 1.67-73.3; p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed a higher cancer risk in MS patients associated only to previous IS exposure. Studies on long-term outcomes are essential to evaluate the possibility that treatment options that need to be considered for a long time-period may modify risk for life threatening diseases.

A systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of comorbidity in multiple sclerosis: overview

Background:

Comorbidity is an area of increasing interest in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

The objective of this review is to estimate the incidence and prevalence of comorbidity in people with MS and assess the quality of included studies.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Web of Knowledge databases, conference proceedings, and reference lists of retrieved articles. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts. One reviewer abstracted data using a standardized form and the abstraction was verified by a second reviewer. We assessed study quality using a standardized approach. We quantitatively assessed population-based studies using the I² statistic, and conducted random-effects meta-analyses.

Results:

We included 249 articles. Study designs were variable with respect to source populations, case definitions, methods of ascertainment and approaches to reporting findings. Prevalence was reported more frequently than incidence; estimates for prevalence and incidence varied substantially for all conditions. Heterogeneity was high.

Conclusion:

This review highlights substantial gaps in the epidemiological knowledge of comorbidity in MS worldwide. Little is known about comorbidity in Central or South America, Asia or Africa. Findings in North America and Europe are inconsistent. Future studies should report age-, sex- and ethnicity-specific estimates of incidence and prevalence, and standardize findings to a common population.

A systematic review of the incidence and prevalence of cancer in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Studies of cancer incidence and prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS) have produced conflicting results.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incidence and prevalence of cancer in persons with MS and review the quality of included studies.

METHODS

We searched the PUBMED, SCOPUS, Web of Knowledge, and EMBASE databases, conference proceedings, and reference lists of all articles retrieved. Abstracts were screened for relevance by two reviewers. Data from included articles were captured using a standardized form, and the abstraction was verified by a second reviewer. We assessed quality of the included studies. We quantitatively assessed studies using the I (2) statistic, and conducted meta-analyses for population-based studies.

RESULTS

We identified 38 studies. Estimates for incidence and prevalence varied substantially for most cancers. In population-based studies, cervical, breast, and digestive cancers had the highest incidence. The risk of meningiomas and urinary system cancers appeared higher than expected, while the risks of pancreatic, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancer were lower than expected.

CONCLUSION

The complexity of understanding cancer risk in MS is augmented by inconsistencies in study design, and the relative paucity of age, sex and ethnicity-specific risk estimates from which the strong impact of age on the incidence of cancers can be assessed.

Inverse and direct cancer comorbidity in people with central nervous system disorders: a meta-analysis of cancer incidence in 577,013 participants of 50 observational studies

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of scientific consensus about cancer comorbidity in people with central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This study assesses the co-occurrence of cancers in patients with CNS disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), autism spectrum disorders, Down's syndrome (DS), Huntington's disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and schizophrenia (SCZ).

METHOD

Comprehensive search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge of the literature published before March 2013. We identified 51 relevant articles from 2,229 discrete references, 50 of which contained data suitable for quantitative synthesis (577,013 participants). Pooled effect sizes (ES) were calculated using multiple random-effects meta-analyses. Sources of heterogeneity and uncertainty were explored by means of subgroup and sensitivity analyses, respectively.

RESULTS

The presence of CNS disorders was associated with a reduced co-occurrence of cancer (ES = 0.92; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.87-0.98; I(2) = 94.5%). A consistently lower overall co-occurrence of cancer was detected in patients with neurodegenerative disorders (ES = 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75- 0.86; I(2) = 82.8%), and in those with AD (ES = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.22-0.46; I(2) = 0.0%), PD (ES = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76-0.91; I(2) = 80.0%), MS (ES = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.87-0.95; I(2) = 30.3%) and HD (ES = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.42-0.67; I(2) = 56.4%). Patients with DS had a higher overall co-occurrence of cancer (ES = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.08-1.96; I(2) = 87.9%). No association was observed between cancer and ALS (ES = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.76-1.25; I(2) = 0.0%) or SCZ (ES = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.90-1.07; I(2) = 96.3%). Patients with PD, MS and SCZ showed (a) higher co-occurrence of some specific cancers (e.g. PD with melanoma, MS with brain cancers and SCZ with breast cancer), and (b) lower co-occurrence of other specific cancers (e.g. lung, prostate and colorectal cancers in PD; lung and prostate cancers in MS; and melanoma and prostate cancer in SCZ).

CONCLUSION

Increased and decreased co-occurrence of cancer in patients with CNS disorders represents an opportunity to discover biological and non-biological connections between these complex disorders.

Assessment of cancer risk with β-interferon treatment for multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

The risk of cancer after exposure to the β-interferons (IFNβs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been established. We assessed whether IFNβ treatment for MS is associated with cancer risk or the risk of specific cancers in a population-based observational study.

METHODS

The British Columbia MS database was linked to the provincial Cancer Registry, Vital Statistics death files and Health Registration files. Using a nested case-control design, MS cancer cases were matched with up to 20 randomly selected MS controls at the date of cancer diagnosis by sex, age (± 5 years) and study entry year using incidence density sampling. Associations between treatment exposure and overall or specific (breast, colorectal, lung and prostate) cancers were estimated by conditional logistic regression, adjusted for MS disease duration and age. Tumour size at cancer diagnosis was compared between treated and untreated patients using the stratified Wilcoxon test to explore potential lead time bias.

RESULTS

The cohort included 5146 relapsing-onset MS patients and 48,705 person-years of follow-up, during which 227 cancers were diagnosed. Exposure to IFNβ was not significantly different for cases and controls (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.88). There was a non-significant trend towards an increased risk of IFNβ exposure in the breast cancer cases (OR 1.77; 95% CI 0.92 to 3.42), but no evidence of a dose-response effect. Tumour size was similar between IFNβ treated and untreated cases.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence of an increased cancer risk with exposure to IFNβ over a 12-year observation period. However, the trend towards an association between IFNβ and breast cancer should be investigated further.

Incidence of the urological tumours in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to evaluate the incidence of urological malignancies in MS patients using active screening.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 495 MS patients (141 men, 354 women, age of 42±13.4) were included in the study. The duration of disease was 12.3±11 years, and the EDSS score was 4.3 (±2.5). Patients, regardless of specific urological symptoms, were referred for urological evaluation. The outcomes of these evaluations were compared with data from the 2009 National Oncology Register of the Czech Republic.

RESULTS

The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) for the whole MS study population was 38.8 (95% CI 12.6-90.6). This incidence of urological malignancies in the MS study population was higher (statistically significant) than that of the general population. The SIR for females was 66.0 (95% CI 18.0-169.1) in the MS study population, representing a statistically significant increase over that of the general female population. The increase in incidence of urological malignancies in men with MS did not reach statistical significance over that of the general male population (SIR 14.7, 95% CI 0.4-81.7).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of urological cancer in MS patients as determined by active screening is significantly higher than that found in general population.

Increased breast cancer risk for patients with multiple sclerosis: a nationwide population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Studies have suggested that multiple sclerosis (MS) might be linked to an overall reduced cancer rate, but a positive relationship is also found for several types of cancer. This study determines whether MS is associated with cancer risk in Taiwan.

METHODS

Data from the National Health Insurance System of Taiwan were used to assess this issue. The MS cohort included 1292 patients, and each patient was randomly frequency-matched with four participants without MS, based on their age, sex and index year (control cohort). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted to estimate the influence of MS on cancer risk.

RESULTS

A significantly higher risk of developing overall cancer was found amongst the MS cohort compared with the control cohort [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-2.74], as well as breast cancer (adjusted HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.11-4.46).

CONCLUSIONS

The nationwide population-based cohort study revealed that Taiwanese patients with MS have a higher risk of developing overall cancer types and breast cancer in particular.

Mortality in patients with multiple sclerosis

Mortality in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is significantly increased compared with the general population. Many questions concerning survival in MS are still unanswered due to the difficulty of comparing information collected at different times and in different geographic areas. The increasing incidence of MS, the improvement in care of the chronically disabled, and different methodologies may explain the lack of coherence among studies' results. Reported times to death from birth and from disease onset/diagnosis are highly variable. Patients older at onset or with primary progressive course have shorter survival; however, data on sex and mortality are contradictory. Changes in sex ratio in MS over time represent one possible explanation. MS is the main cause of death in ≥50% of patients and the incidence of deaths not due to MS varies among countries. Particularly, suicide is substantially increased in patients with MS, and, despite its varying incidence, mainly due to "cultural bias," it should be considered an MS-related cause of death. Recent results of the long-term follow-up study of interferon-β-1b demonstrated a significant reduction of mortality among treated patients. Notwithstanding its long latency, mortality is therefore an unambiguously valid long-term outcome in randomized controlled trials. It usefully combines the net impact of treatment efficacy on longevity and adverse events, which may reduce it.

Current and emerging multiple sclerosis therapeutics

For a disease whose cause remains elusive, there has been a paradoxical growth in multiple sclerosis (MS) therapeutics. During the past 17 years, six therapeutic drugs for MS were brought to market. All of these disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have shown a beneficial effect in reducing the number of exacerbations in double-blind placebo-controlled trials, and three drugs (subcutaneous [SC]/IM interferon beta-1a, natalizumab) have been shown to reduce relapses, decrease MRI activity, and reduce the risk of sustained disability after 2 years of treatment. No controlled studies exist to show long-term benefit with any of the current DMTs. Immunosuppressive drug (ISD) therapies continue to play a role in the management of patients who fail to respond to immunomodulatory agents. These agents, however, have shown mixed data in terms of efficacy and put patients at higher risk for the development of secondary cancers. Plasma exchange for severe relapses not responsive to corticosteroid therapy has regained interest in the past few years. Furthermore, six new agents that will dramatically impact our ability to prevent disability in patients with MS are in late-stage or have completed phase 3 clinical development. Determining the risk-benefit calculations that we will need to employ toward these new drugs and the algorithms for switching therapies will be critical issues in the next 5 years. This article highlights the clinical efficacy of the current DMTs/ISDs and discusses the current treatment options for clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), and exacerbations of RRMS. It also addresses the management of a suboptimal response to the DMTs; discusses the challenge of primary progressive MS; and presents an overview of emerging therapeutic options.

Cancer risk in multiple sclerosis: findings from British Columbia, Canada

Findings regarding cancer risk in people with multiple sclerosis have been inconsistent and few studies have explored the possibility of diagnostic neglect. The influence of a relapsing-onset versus primary progressive course on cancer risk is unknown. We examined cancer risk and tumour size at diagnosis in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis compared to the general population and we explored the influence of disease course. Clinical data of patients with multiple sclerosis residing in British Columbia, Canada who visited a British Columbia multiple sclerosis clinic from 1980 to 2004 were linked to provincial cancer registry, vital statistics and health registration data. Patients were followed for incident cancers between onset of multiple sclerosis, and the earlier of emigration, death or study end (31 December 2007). Cancer incidence was compared with that in the age-, sex- and calendar year-matched population of British Columbia. Tumour size at diagnosis of breast, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers were compared with population controls, matched for cancer site, sex, age and calendar year at cancer diagnosis, using the stratified Wilcoxon test. There were 6820 patients included, with 110 666 person-years of follow-up. The standardized incidence ratio for all cancers was 0.86 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-0.94). Colorectal cancer risk was also significantly reduced (standardized incidence ratio: 0.56; 95% confidence interval: 0.37-0.81). Risk reductions were similar by sex and for relapsing-onset and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Tumour size was larger than expected in the cohort (P = 0.04). Overall cancer risk was lower in patients with multiple sclerosis than in the age-, sex- and calendar year matched general population. The larger tumour sizes at cancer diagnosis suggested diagnostic neglect; this could have major implications for the health, well-being and longevity of people with multiple sclerosis.

Assessment of malignancy risk in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with intramuscular interferon beta-1a: retrospective evaluation using a health insurance claims database and postmarketing surveillance data

Background

Intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a), a multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy that has been commercially available for over a decade, provides a unique opportunity to retrospectively assess postmarketing data for evidence of malignancy risk, compared with relatively limited data available for more recently approved therapies. Postmarketing and claims data were analyzed to determine the risk of malignancy in MS patients treated with intramuscular IFNβ-1a.

Materials and methods

The cumulative reporting rates of suspected adverse drug reactions coded to malignancy in the intramuscular IFNβ-1a global safety database were compared with malignancy incidence rates in the World Health Organization GLOBOCAN database. In addition, using data from a large US claims database, the cumulative prevalence of malignancy in MS patients treated with intramuscular IFNβ-1a was compared with non-MS population controls, MS patients without intramuscular IFNβ-1a use, and untreated MS patients. Mean follow-up was approximately 3 years for all groups, ie, 3.1 years for the intramuscular IFNβ-1a group (range 0.02–6.0 years), 2.6 years for non-MS population controls (range 0–6.0 years), 2.6 years for the intramuscular IFNβ-1a nonuse group (range 0.01–6.0 years), and 2.4 years for the untreated MS group (range 0.01–6.0 years).

Results

An estimated 402,250 patients received intramuscular IFNβ-1a during the postmarketing period. Cumulative reporting rates of malignancy in this population were consistent with GLOBOCAN incidence rates observed within the general population. The claims database included 12,894 MS patients who received intramuscular IFNβ-1a. No significant difference in malignancy prevalence was observed in intramuscular IFNβ-1a users compared with other groups.

Conclusion

Results from this evaluation provide no evidence of an increased risk of malignancy with intramuscular IFNβ-1a use.

Evaluation of serum levels of chemokines during interferon-β treatment in multiple sclerosis patients: a 1-year, observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

The molecules that provide access to activated T cells in the CNS, including chemokines, have been considered to be a crucial step in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS).

AIMS

In this study, we investigated serial serum chemokine levels in patients with relapsing-remitting MS over 1 year and the association of these chemokine levels with treatment regimens, lesions on MRI and patients' characteristics.

METHODS

Serum CXCL9, CXCL10, CCL2, CCL4 and CCL5 levels were evaluated using ELISA every 2 months for a year in 28 healthy controls and 28 MS patients during their treatment with interferon (IFN)-β. Patients underwent MRI and were evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) at the first and final evaluations.

RESULTS

CXCL10 serum levels were higher in MS patients compared with controls, were positively correlated with T2 lesions on MRI and were slightly increased during relapses. Treatment with IFNβ-1a or IFNβ-1b was associated with increased CXCL10 levels when evaluated more than 36 hours after subcutaneous injection. The CXCL9 levels were higher after MS relapse. There was significant variability in CCL4 and CCL5 levels in the serial evaluations, associated with gender and treatment. CCL2 levels were higher in treated MS patients than healthy controls, particularly among those patients with a stable form of the disease.

CONCLUSION

Serum is a feasible resource for searching for an immunological marker in MS. Peripheral chemokine levels correlated in different ways with IFNβ therapy and with disease and patient characteristics.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN45526724.

The risk of malignancy is not increased in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-la: analysis of data from clinical trial and post-marketing surveillance settings

BACKGROUND

Risks that are potentially associated with long-term therapies should be assessed.

OBJECTIVE

The present analyses were performed to determine the risk of malignancy in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving subcutaneous (sc) interferon (IFN) beta-1a, using pooled safety data from key clinical trials and data from the Merck Serono Global Drug Safety database.

METHODS

The standard Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities query "malignancies" was used to retrieve relevant cases from each data set. The incidence of malignancies per 1000 patient-years was calculated using the pooled safety data from clinical trials. The reporting rates of malignancy types were calculated for the post-marketing setting based on sales volume. Malignancies were grouped by organ localization and classified as medically confirmed or not medically confirmed according to the source of each report. The number of reported cases of each type was compared with the expected number in the general population.

RESULTS

Analysis of pooled safety data from 12 key clinical trials did not show an increased incidence of malignancy per 1000 patient-years with sc IFN beta-1a (4.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.9-5.5) compared with placebo (6.4; 95% CI: 3.3-11.2). Analysis of the database shows that among the medically confirmed cases, reported to expected ratios ranged from 1 : 6 to 1 : 18 for solid tumours and from 1 : 2 to 1 : 9 for lymphohaematopoietic tumours.

CONCLUSION

Safety data from both clinical trial and post-marketing settings suggest that treatment with sc IFN beta-1a does not increase the risk of malignancy in patients with MS.

No increase in cancer incidence detected after cyclophosphamide in a French cohort of patients with progressive multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cyclophosphamide is still used in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in view of its suggested efficacy and safety in the short term. No data exist on its long-term safety in MS, particularly on the risk of malignancy.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate cancer incidence in MS after cyclophosphamide treatment.

METHODS

We performed a historical prospective study in a cohort of MS patients treated with cyclophosphamide. We collected demographic data and medical history from medical databases and patient interviews. Reported cancers were histologically confirmed. Cancer incidence was compared with the incidence in the general population by estimating standardized incidence ratios (SIRs).

RESULTS

We included 354 patients, with a median follow-up of 5 years (range 2-15) after cyclophosphamide treatment. Fifteen patients developed a solid cancer, which occurred at a median of 3 years (range 0.5-14) after cyclophosphamide introduction. The cumulative incidence of cancer after cyclophosphamide was 3.1% at 5 years and 5.9% at 8 years. We found no increase in cancer incidence after cyclophosphamide treatment in men (SIR = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.30-1.82), women (SIR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.43-1.95), or men and women combined (SIR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.50-1.54).

CONCLUSION

We found no evidence of an increased risk of cancer associated with cyclophosphamide treatment in MS patients.

The development of primary central nervous system B-cell lymphoma in multiple sclerosis

When coupled with classical clinical signs and symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging can significantly aid in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is large and, in the absence of pathognomonic clinical features, can be challenging to diagnose initially. Some conditions, such as primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), can mimic clinically some of the symptoms prominent in multiple sclerosis. Early treatment with corticosteroids can dramatically improve patient symptoms in MS and PCNSL. We report a case of a man diagnosed with histologically confirmed relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis who subsequently developed histologically confirmed primary central nervous system lymphoma. Immunosuppressant therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis may be a potential catalyst in the development of central nervous system lymphoma. The course of his disease and treatment are presented and the current literature reviewed.

Gender issues in multiple sclerosis: an update

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) affects both women and men, women are more susceptible to MS than men. Accumulating evidence indicates that the incidence and prevalence of MS is increasing, more so in women than in men. Owing to pregnancy, differing hormonal states and distinct social roles, the impact of MS differs between women and men. Since Patricia K Coyle published a review on gender issues in MS, multiple studies have added to the body of knowledge. This update will summarize the current thinking on gender-related issues in MS and we will address incidence and prevalence, hormonal factors, pregnancy and breastfeeding, genetics, course and prognosis, imaging, treatment and psychosocial aspects. Future progression within this field will help elucidate the cause of and define the treatment of MS.

Cancer and multiple sclerosis in the era of disease-modifying treatments

Prior to the era of disease-modifying therapies (DMT), multiple sclerosis (MS) was linked to reduced rates of cancer. Early use of immunosuppressors (IS) in MS justifies the follow-up of patients to evaluate a possible increase in the incidence of cancer in these patients. We performed a descriptive study of MS patients with a documented oncological event. Among the 22,563 MS patients in the EDMUS databases, patients with a history of cancer were identified, and cancer risk in a multiple sclerosis cohort (CARIMS) was evaluated. Four groups were defined: (A) MS patients without cancer receiving DMT or not, (B) MS patients with cancer but without any history of DMT, (C) MS patients with cancer who received an immunomodulator (IM), and/or (D) MS patients treated with an IS. A total of 9,269 patients (44.1%) had a history of DMT (52% IM; 18% IS; 30% both); 253 patients with MS and cancer were identified, 182 had a history of DMT. The mean duration of DMT was longer for group D (A: 3.6 years vs. D: 4.9 years; P < 0.01). There was no increased risk of cancer among patients treated exclusively with IM. IS treatment (P = 0.043) and the duration of exposure (P < 0.001) significantly increased the risk of cancer, especially skin cancer, as observed in other autoimmune diseases. This result could influence the attitude of the medical profession with respect to the benefit to risk ratio when proposing DMT to MS patients.

Medulloblastoma and gliomatosis cerebri: rare brain tumors in multiple sclerosis patients

The simultaneous appearance of both multiple sclerosis (MS) and central nervous system (CNS) tumors is relatively uncommon. Whether the co-existence of two diseases is due to chance alone or the result of a causal relationship is still a matter of debate. There is also controversy about the effect of long-term exposure of MS patients to immunomodulatory drugs on the incidence of cancer. This paper reports two cases of rare CNS tumors (i.e., medulloblastoma and gliomatosis cerebri) in adult MS patients. Our cases emphasize that when uncommon neurological features appear in patients with MS, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ought to be done and brain biopsy should be considered to exclude a concomitant CNS disorder. These procedures are essential for the differential diagnosis and early treatment.

Autoimmune disease and subsequent risk of developing alimentary tract cancers among 4.5 million US male veterans

BACKGROUND

Autoimmunity is clearly linked with hematologic malignancies, but less is known about autoimmunity and alimentary tract cancer risk, despite the specific targeting of alimentary organs and tissues by several autoimmune diseases. The authors therefore conducted the first systematic evaluation of a broad range of specific autoimmune diseases and risk for subsequent alimentary tract cancer.

METHODS

On the basis of 4,501,578 US male veterans, the authors identified 96,277 men who developed alimentary tract cancer during up to 26.2 years of follow-up. By using Poisson regression methods, the authors calculated relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A history of autoimmune disease with localized alimentary tract effects generally increased cancer risks in the organ(s) affected by the autoimmune disease, such as primary biliary cirrhosis and liver cancer (RR, 6.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.76-7.57); pernicious anemia and stomach cancer (RR, 3.17; 95% CI, 2.47-4.07); and ulcerative colitis and small intestine, colon, and rectal cancers (RR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.05-6.11; RR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.70-2.48; and RR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.62-2.64, respectively). In addition, a history of celiac disease, reactive arthritis (Reiter disease), and systemic sclerosis all were associated significantly with increased risk of esophageal cancer (RR, 1.86-2.86). Autoimmune diseases without localized alimentary tract effects generally were not associated with alimentary tract cancer risk, with the exception of decreased risk for multiple alimentary tract cancers associated with a history of multiple sclerosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the importance of localized inflammation in alimentary tract carcinogenesis. Future research is needed to confirm the findings and improve understanding of underlying mechanisms by which autoimmune diseases contribute to alimentary tract carcinogenesis.