Heidelberg, April 26, 2024 – A new, $245,000 scholarship will empower researchers to untangle the complex relationship between autoimmune diseases like rheumatism and cancer, a connection that frequently enough leaves patients caught in a frustrating treatment limbo. The funding, awarded by the Else Kröner Excellence Scholarship, will help expand a crucial patient registry and pinpoint biomarkers for more personalized care.
Rheumatism and Cancer: When the Immune System Fights Both Ways
Understanding the delicate balance between immune activation and regulation is key to improving outcomes for patients battling both conditions.
- Rheumatic diseases involve the immune system attacking the body’s own tissues.
- Cancer and its treatments can sometimes trigger rheumatic symptoms.
- Finding biomarkers will help doctors tailor treatments for patients with both conditions.
- A new patient registry aims to gather data on treatment effectiveness and side effects.
rheumatic diseases are autoimmune disorders, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing inflammation and damage. Patients typically require lifelong medication to manage their immune response. However, this very suppression of the immune system can hinder its ability to fight off cancer cells, potentially increasing the long-term risk of malignancy. Conversely, certain cancers and their therapies-particularly immunotherapies that *activate* the immune system-can actually *cause* rheumatic symptoms. “The necessary balance between activation and regulation of the immune system makes treatment of those affected considerably more arduous. They often do not receive the optimal therapy,” explains dr. Karolina Gente,a senior physician in the rheumatology Section at heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD).
Dr. Gente has been researching thes intricate connections as 2018 as part of the “Malignant and rheumatic diseases – two extremes of the miscontrolled immune system” (MalheuR) project. Her work has already led to the creation of a patient registry, now encompassing more than 1,200 individuals, to track treatment approaches, side effects, and disease progression in those with both rheumatism and cancer. Alongside her team, she’s also established a biobank containing approximately 880 blood and tissue samples.
“1,200 patients are a lot for this special disease constellation, but not much for reliable evaluations as a basis for therapy decisions or the search for biomarkers,” says Dr. Gente. The Else Kröner Excellence Scholarship, beginning in April 2026, will allow her to expand the registry to include data from other clinics, accelerating the search for those crucial biomarkers and refining treatment strategies.
Can Tele-Consultation Close the Gap in Care?
The uncertainty surrounding the compatibility of different therapies can lead to undertreatment or inappropriate treatment for patients navigating both conditions. to address this, Dr. Gente has offered specialized advice to patients and physicians since 2018.Starting in 2025, this service will be available via teleconsultation, thanks to funding from the German Rheumatism Foundation.The consultations focus on adjusting rheumatological therapies without compromising cancer treatment success.Dr. Gente is currently evaluating whether teleconsultations are as effective as in-person visits, a key factor for securing long-term health insurance coverage.
Immune Checkpoint inhibitors-These cancer treatments release brakes on the immune system,enabling it to attack tumors. This immune response can sometimes cause rheumatic symptoms.
Scholarship Funding-The else Kröner Excellence Scholarship provides $245,000 to support research into the link between autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Patient Registry Expansion-The scholarship will expand a patient registry to over 1,200 individuals, tracking treatment and disease progression.