Leonard H. Calabrese, DO - Rheumatology, Immunology, and Immuno-Oncology Intersect: Navigating the Complexities of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition, Autoimmunity, and Immune-Related Adverse Events: How Can Rheumatologists Help Minimize the Risks and Maximize the Benefits of Cancer Immunotherapies?

Go online to PeerView.com/GQF860 to view the entire program with slides.In this video panel discussion, Leonard H. Calabrese, DO, and Evan J. Lipson, MD, engage in an interdisciplinary discussion of why it is important for rheumatologists to have a good grasp of immuno-oncology (IO) in general and of the unique immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with cancer immunotherapies in particular. They explore the new class of immune checkpoint inhibitors, how they work, in which cancer types they’re used, why and how irAEs develop, and which rheumatic irAEs can occur as part of the broad spectrum of potential irAEs. They also discuss how rheumatologists and oncologists can effectively collaborate to determine if patients with cancer (eg, those with pre-existing autoimmune conditions) can safely receive and benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, as well as to evaluate and manage rheumatic irAEs in patients who have developed them as a result of treatment with cancer immunotherapies. Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to: Summarize the basic principles of harnessing the human immune system in the treatment of cancer, as well as the mechanistic aspects of immune checkpoint inhibition in cancer therapy and development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) associated with immunotherapies, Assess the potential benefits and risks of cancer immunotherapies for patients with cancer who have pre-existing autoimmune conditions to determine candidacy for cancer immunotherapy, Describe the spectrum of rheumatic and other irAEs associated with the immune checkpoint inhibitors, including incidence and presentation, Discuss the general and organ/site-specific recommendations for evaluation, diagnosis, grading, and management of irAEs, including the more and less commonly occurring rheumatic irAEs, Evaluate whether or not cancer immunotherapies can be safely considered for patients with cancer who have concomitant autoimmune conditions, based on individualized assessment of risks and benefits in collaboration with oncology, Implement recommended strategies for triage, evaluation, diagnosis, and management of rheumatic and other relevant irAEs in rheumatology practice in collaboration with oncology.