Checkpoint Inhibitor-Associated Scleroderma and Scleroderma Mimics.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Rheumatology
• Immunology

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are standard cancer therapy.
• ICI use is linked to autoimmune complications.
• Data on ICI-associated scleroderma is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review literature on ICI-associated systemic scleroderma (ICI-SSc).
• To analyze differences between ICI-SSc and primary SSc.
• To investigate ICI-related scleroderma mimics.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review.
• Analysis of case reports and studies on ICI-SSc and mimics.
• Comparison of ICI-SSc features with primary SSc.

Main Results:

• ICI-SSc cases showed fewer vascular features and less seropositivity than primary SSc.
• Patients with pre-existing SSc may experience flares post-ICI.
• ICI-eosinophilic fasciitis cases were identified; ICI-scleromyxedema and ICI-scleroedema were not found.

Conclusions:

• ICI-SSc presents differently from primary SSc.
• Management of ICI-SSc requires further investigation.
• Collaborative, multi-institutional research is crucial for understanding and managing ICI-SSc.