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Have you used immunotherapy for NSCLC in a patient with multiple sclerosis?

Would you consider MS an absolute contraindication to this treatment?
1 Answer
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Medical Oncology · Indiana University
Answered on

This is a challenging question. Traditionally patients with immune mediated or autoimmune illnesses were excluded from PD1 or PDL1 inhibitor clinical trials. There is some retrospective data emerging in NSCLC and in melanoma that some patients with autoimmune conditions could be safely treated with PD1 inhibitors. This includes for example RA. However I think neurological conditions such as MS with potentially an immune-mediated or inflammatory etiology are more challenging with higher risks. If I were to start a patient with MS on a PD1 inhibitor I would spend a significant amount of time explaining the risks and the benefits, would warn about flares and would work side by side with their neurologist. I think it would partly depend on the ...

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