EDITORIAL The relationship between cancer and RA: still a large research agenda

[Guest guest]

Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:109doi:10.1186/ar2417

Published: 14 May 2008

Editorial

The relationship between cancer and rheumatoid arthritis: still a

large research agenda

Thorvardur Love and H

Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Brigham and Women's

Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115,

USA

Abstract

The association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and malignancies has

received increased attention in recent years. Reports suggesting that

tumor necrosis factor blockers might elevate the risk of malignancy in

RA patients have prompted researchers to look at the incidence of

malignancies in all RA patients. In a recent issue of Arthritis

Research & Therapy, Smitten and colleagues suggest that previous

reports of a standardized incidence ratio close to one for

malignancies in RA may reflect an increased risk for some

site-specific malignancies and a reduced risk for others. Here we

discuss these findings and suggest what issues could be addressed in

future studies.

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Read the entire editorial here:

http://arthritis-research.com/content/10/3/109

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Not an MD