Lung cancer as a trigger of autoimmune response: a medical challenge

Abstract There is a complex, dynamic, and bidirectional connection between autoimmunity and cancer. The underlying mechanisms of carcinogenesis and physiopathological aspects of autoimmune diseases are not fully understood. However, there is a common immunological basis related to the expression of autoantigens by tumor cells that cause an anti-cancer immune response, which triggers the development of paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes and autoimmune rheumatic diseases in the genetically predisposed population. This article discusses the case of a 57-year old man presenting with pulmonary renal syndrome, and who was simultaneously diagnosed with lung cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus.