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Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection
Published in: Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Review

Are patients with inflammatory eye disease treated with systemic immunosuppressive therapy at increased risk of malignancy?

Authors: William B Yates, Peter J McCluskey, Denis Wakefield

Published in: Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to review the literature on the risk of malignancy in patients with inflammatory eye disease (IED) treated with systemic immunosuppressive (IS) therapy. Relevant databases in transplant medicine, autoimmune diseases and literature regarding uveitis and scleritis were reviewed. Literature with regards systemic IS therapy in transplant recipients and patients with autoimmune diseases revealed a significant increase in malignancies, especially non-melanocytic skin cancers and lymphomas. Studies of patients with IED were limited in number and scope, with no studies adequately evaluating the incidence of malignancy in these patients. Difficulties associated with the evaluation of the risk of malignancy associated with IS therapy in patients with IED include the heterogeneity of the disease and treatment regimens as well as the low frequency of IED, its variable severity and the lack of adequate long-term follow-up studies. Systemic IS therapy is an important therapeutic option in the treatment of patients with severe IED. A well-designed, comprehensive, multi-centre long-term follow-up study is required to evaluate the risk of malignancy in patients with specific IED diseases treated with defined systemic IS therapy. Until such evidence is available, we recommend the adoption of preventative strategies to help minimise the risk of malignancy in such patients.
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Metadata
Title
Are patients with inflammatory eye disease treated with systemic immunosuppressive therapy at increased risk of malignancy?
Authors
William B Yates
Peter J McCluskey
Denis Wakefield
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1869-5760
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1869-5760-3-48

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