A French study involving several researchers and clinicians from the Institute of Myology has retrospectively demonstrated the toxic effects of checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), innovative products widely used in oncology:
- previous studies had reported cases of induced myasthenia or, more frequently, induced myositis,
- Using the AP-HP data warehouse, 620 records of patients treated in this way were analysed for clinical, electrophysiological and immunological abnormalities,
- cases of myasthenia were exceptionally rare, or pre-existed the start of treatment,
- the myositis observed was unusual because of the importance of oculomotor and bulbar signs, and could be mistaken for myasthenia.
The authors question the notion of ICI-induced myasthenia and therefore the relevance of treating them with other innovative and costly therapies reserved for genuine refractory myasthenia.
