Temporal relationship between antitumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody therapy and recrudescence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitors have been used effectively to treat rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Although the role of TNF-alpha in tumor development is not well understood, an increased risk of malignancies with anti-TNF-alpha therapy has been suggested. We report an instructive case of a patient, treated for Crohn's disease with infliximab, who presented with a neck abscess diagnosed to be head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The patient's clinical course illustrates a temporal relationship between reappearance of his cancer after a complete response to therapy and the resumption of infliximab for worsening Crohn's disease.
Engel
Samuel H
SH
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Hullar
Timothy E
TE
Adkins
Douglas R
DR
Thorstad
Wade L
WL
Sunwoo
John B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab