--- title: "TB and lung cancer & infliximab tx of rheumatoid arthritis. | Sutter Health" description: "Case of disseminated tuberculosis, possible infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum, and lung cancer in association with infliximab tx for rheumatoid arthritis." url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/tb-lung-cancer-infliximab-tx-rheumatoid-arthritis-1055312877" --- 1. [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research) / 3. [Research publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications) / 4. TB and lung cancer & infliximab tx of rheumatoid arthritis. # Disseminated tuberculosis and lung cancer associated with infliximab treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Sankaranarayanan Viji, Krishna G, Gould M, & Chitkara R. _Clin Pulmon Med.12(2):115-120._ 2005-03-01 ## Abstract Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers have emerged as valuable tools in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. The increased incidence of reactivated latent mycobacterial infection following institution of infliximab therapy has been reported. However, less is known about the risk of malignancy with use of anti-TNF antibodies. We present a case of disseminated tuberculosis, possible infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum, and lung cancer in association with infliximab therapy in a 55-year-old man with active rheumatoid arthritis who had received previously isoniazid chemoprophylaxis. We review the existing literature on anti-TNF agents and risk of tuberculosis and malignancy. [PubMed abstract](http://journals.lww.com/clinpulm/Abstract/2005/03000/Disseminated_Tuberculosis_and_Lung_Cancer.6.asp) ![Ganesh Krishna, M.D., FCCP](https://dyn.mktgcdn.com/p/7HZoN6h0d4phO4VQYcU6TE-_Cn72_cBpIS3NRGru51E/fit=crop,gravity=auto,dpr=2,width=188,height=250,quality=100) Ganesh Krishna, M.D., FCCP Principal investigator [View profile](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/investigators/ganesh-krishna-md-fccp-1049681082) ## Research topics - [Autoimmune Disease](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Autoimmune+Disease%5C%22%22) - [All Cancer](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22All+Cancer%5C%22%22) - [Disease Management](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Disease+Management%5C%22%22) - [Infectious Disease](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Infectious+Disease%5C%22%22) - [Lung Diseases](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?query=%22%5C%22Lung+Diseases%5C%22%22) ## Related publications [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) - Publication ### [Improved targeting accuracy of lung tumor biopsies with scanning-beam digital x-ray tomosynthesis image guidance.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/lung-cancer-bx-x-ray-tomosynthesis-image-guidance-1055312495) Nelson G, Wu M, Hinkel C, Krishna G, Funk T, Rosenberg J, Fahrig R. Med Phys. 43(12):6282. 2016 Dec 01 - Publication ### [Does SLE widen or narrow race/ethnic disparities in the risk of five co-morbid conditions? Evidence from a community-based outpatient care system.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/sle-and-race-disparities-in-risk-of-co-morbid-conditions-1055312829) Falasinnu T, Chaichian Y, Li J, Chung S, Waitzfelder BE, Fortmann SP, Palaniappan L, Simard JF. Lupus. 28(14):1619-1627. doi: 10.1177/0961203319884646. Epub 2019 Oct 29. 2019 Dec 01 - Publication ### [Precision lifestyle medicine: a new frontier in the science of behavior change and population health.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/precision-lifestyle-medicine-1055312346) Ma J, Rosas LG, Lv N. 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Chest. 128(6):4013-7. 2005 Dec 01 [View all publications](https://www.sutterhealth.org/research-search-results?verticalKey=research_publication) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalOrganization","name":"Sutter Health","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/#medicalorganization","url":"https://www.sutterhealth.org","logo":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/static/images/sutter-health-logo.svg","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"2200 River Plaza Drive","addressLocality":"Sacramento","addressRegion":"CA","postalCode":"95833","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":{"@type":"AdministrativeArea","name":"California"},"sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/SutterHealth","https://www.instagram.com/sutterhealth/","https://x.com/SutterHealth","https://www.youtube.com/sutterhealth","https://www.linkedin.com/company/sutter-health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutter_Health"]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/tb-lung-cancer-infliximab-tx-rheumatoid-arthritis-1055312877#breadcrumblist","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Research publications","item":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"TB and lung cancer & infliximab tx of rheumatoid arthritis."}]} ``` ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"MedicalScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://www.sutterhealth.org/research/publications/tb-lung-cancer-infliximab-tx-rheumatoid-arthritis-1055312877#medicalscholarlyarticle","name":"Disseminated tuberculosis and lung cancer associated with infliximab treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.","headline":"TB and lung cancer & infliximab tx of rheumatoid arthritis.","abstract":"Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α blockers have emerged as valuable tools in the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. 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