title: Malignancies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases - a mini-review.
abstract: Paraneoplastic symptoms, caused by a malignancy, but not directly related to invasion by the tumor or its metastases, are the result of a wide variety of tumor-derived biologic mediators like hormones, peptides, antibodies, cytotoxic lymphocytes, autocrine and paracrine mediators. Systemic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma or dermatomyositis, may increase the risk for the development of malignancies, predominantly lymphoproliferative disorders. Immunosuppressive drugs and biological agents may also be carcinogenic. However, sustained inflammatory activity seems to be the primary risk factor for malignancies in autoimmune diseases. Tumor-associated antigens may be produced by inflammatory cells and their production may be increased in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Institute of Medicine, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. szekanecz.zoltan@med.unideb.hu
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Szekanecz
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szekanecz
authors.forename: Gyula
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakó
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shoenfeld
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001168:Arthritis / Q000150:complications; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008232:Lymphoproliferative Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000209:etiology; D010257:Paraneoplastic Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001688:Biological Products; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents