[Dactilitis and oligoarthritis after BCG immunotherapy in a patient affected by bladder cancer]

Reumatismo. 2006 Jul-Sep;58(3):230-2. doi: 10.4081/reumatismo.2006.230.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

The treatment of bladder cancer with Bacillus of Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy can induce the appearance of a reactive disorder. The Authors describe a 55-year-old male patient with bladder cancer treated with endovesical instillation of BCG immunotherapy, followed after the fifth application by asymmetric oligoarthritis and dactilitis. The observed positivity of both HLA-B27 and HLA-B51 antigens reinforces the hypothesis of a reactive form, possibly through "molecular mimicry" mechanism. The discontinuation of BCG instillation along which a therapeutic attempt with NSAD failed to improve the rheumatic manifestation, which completely remitted after a four-month course of oral steroids. No relapses of joint and tendon involvement was observed during the following five-month period. The clinico-pathogenetic implications suggested by this case are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravesical
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Arthritis, Reactive / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Reactive / etiology*
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • BCG Vaccine / adverse effects*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / therapy*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy, Active / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Middle Aged
  • Remission Induction
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / surgery
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • BCG Vaccine
  • Methylprednisolone