The immunologic balance: three cases of rituximab-associated melanoma. Issue 1 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davidson, Tara M.; Markovic, Svetomir N.; Dimou, Anastasios
• Is Part Of: Melanoma research. Volume 32:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: CD20 -- immune checkpoint -- lymphoma -- melanoma -- rituximab; Melanoma -- Periodicals; Melanoma -- Periodicals; Melanomen; 616.99477
• DOI: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000000799
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8931

Abstract

Abstract : Currently, there is no known clinical evidence that rituximab increases the rate of subsequent primary malignancies; however, some studies have raised the question of increased melanoma risk following rituximab treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We report three interesting cases of suspected rituximab-induced melanoma. We hypothesize that this association is secondary to rituximab-driven shifts in the immunologic balance. Based on these cases, it is possible that the number of post-rituximab melanoma cases is underreported. Further mechanistic research into individual cases and population-level studies are required to better define association and risk; however, given the increasing prevalence of oncologic and nononcologic rituximab use, awareness across all fields is essential.