New insights on IgA vasculitis with underlying solid tumor: a nationwide French study of 30 patients

Objective: IgA vasculitis (IgAV) frequently occurs during or after a mucosal infection; it also rarely occurs in patients with cancer. We hypothesized that cancer could impact the baseline characteristics and/or outcome of vasculitis. We aimed to describe the presentation of IgAV in patients with cancer (IgAV ca+) compared to patients without cancer. Methods: We conducted a nationwide retrospective study of adult patients in France who presented with both IgAV and cancer. Baseline characteristics were described and compared with those of the 260 patients included in a nationwide French IgAV study. Results: Thirty patients were included. The mean age was 69 +/- 12 years; 80% were men. Compared to patients without underlying cancer, IgAV ca+ patients were older (69 +/- 12 vs. 50 +/- 18 years; p < 0.0001) and they presented more frequently with necrotic purpura (53 vs. 26%; p < 0.002) and intra-alveolar hemorrhage (10 vs. 0.5%; p < 0.0001). IgAV ca+ patients frequently had elevated serum IgA levels (79 vs. 53%; p < 0.034); most (n = 22, 73%) had adenocarcinoma or urothelial carcinoma involving the large intestines (n = 6), bladder (n = 5), and lung (n = 5). Most IgAV ca+ patients had progressive cancer (n = 21); a minority had metastatic disease (n = 2) at IgAV diagnosis. After a median follow-up of 3 months, 8 deaths were observed but none was related to IgAV. Conclusion: Compared to their noncancer counterpart, patients with IgAV related to cancer were older and more frequently presented with necrotizing purpura, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, and elevated serum IgA levels. Adult patients with IgAV and these latter characteristics should be carefully screened for cancer.