Recommendations of Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology Section of Polish Neurological Society and Immuno-oncology Section of Polish Society of Oncology on oncological risk in patients with multiple sclerosis undergoing immunomodulatory therapy

Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2025 Jan 15. doi: 10.5603/pjnns.101995. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40. Changes in the immune system also observed in cancer may suggest a higher prevalence of cancer in the MS patient population. In recent years, many highly effective immunosuppressive drugs have been introduced into disease-modifying therapy (DMT) which may be associated with a higher risk of cancer development in patients with MS. This paper presents current data on the oncological risk of individual drugs. In addition, it provides recommendations on the management for qualifying for DMT and monitoring the safety of the therapy from anoncological perspective.

Keywords: cancer; immunomodulatory therapy; multiple sclerosis; oncological risk.