Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Young Adult 18-25
- Adult 26-64
- Older Adult 65+
Languages
- English
In-Network Plans
View All Accepted Plans (12)Gender
FemaleJohns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Laura Cappelli
Professional Titles
- Co-Director, Immune-Related Toxicity Team
Primary Academic Title
Associate Professor of Medicine
Johns Hopkins Physician
Background
Dr. Laura Cappelli is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her areas of clinical expertise include rheumatology and adverse effects from cancer immunotherapy.
Dr. Cappelli earned her M.D. from Johns Hopkins. She completed her residency in internal medicine and performed a fellowship in rheumatology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She has a MHS in Clinical Investigation from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Dr. Cappelli focuses on immune related adverse events due to cancer immunotherapy and all forms of inflammatory arthritis. She co-directs the Immune-related toxicity team which provides clinical, research and educational support for immune related adverse events. Her primary research interest is inflammatory arthritis due to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. She also studies rheumatoid arthritis.
Find a Clinical Trial
View all trials by this principal investigator.
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
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Patient Care at the Intersection of Rheumatology and Neurology, Rheumatology Advisor (February 11, 2022)
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5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your next Rheumatoid Arthritis Appointment, Self.com (3/10/2021)
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What to Ask a Doctor if You Get a Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis, People.com (9/25/2020)
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Ultrasound Provides Insights into Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Inflammatory Arthritis, The Rheumatologist (10/12/2020)
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Arthritis Emerges After Cancer Immunotherapy, Medpage Today, (June 17, 2016)
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Checkpoint Inhibitors Linked to Inflammatory Arthritis, Medscape (June 29, 2016)
Additional Academic Titles
Associate Professor of Oncology
Contact for Research Inquiries
5501
Hopkins Bayview Circle, Suite 1B1
Baltimore, MD 21224
Research Interests
Arthritis, Inflammation, Rheumatology
Research Summary
Dr. Cappelli has started a research program to evaluate the rheumatologic adverse effects of cancer immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, work to boost patients’ own immune systems to fight their cancer, leading to great advances in treatment. However, they can also lead to adverse events as a result of their mechanism of action. Rheumatologists are seeing patients with inflammatory arthritis, immune-mediated dry mouth and dry eyes, myositis, vasculitis and other adverse events due to cancer immunotherapy. Dr. Cappelli is investigating several different aspects of these adverse events including the clinical characteristics, epidemiology, impact on patients, and the biologic mechanisms. Her work involves collaborations with oncologists and laboratory investigators in rheumatology and oncology. Through this research, guidelines for evaluation and management of adverse events can be developed and those at greatest risk for adverse events may be identified.
Dr. Cappelli also has a research interest in rheumatoid arthritis. She focuses on the use of autoantibodies as biomarkers and on patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
PubMed - Publications
Selected Publications
- Gray-Gaillard EF, Shah AA, Bingham Iii CO, Elisseeff JH, Murray J, Brahmer J, Forde P, Anagnostou V, Mammen J, Cappelli LC. Higher levels of VEGF-A and TNFα in patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther. 2025 Apr 1;27(1):74. PMID: 40170117; PMCID: PMC11959780.
- Cappelli LC, Kamal O, Jones M, Bingham CO 3rd, Shah AA. Baseline predictors of disease severity in immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2024 May 3;63(6):1518-1522. PMID: 37647635; PMCID: PMC11147537.
- Bass AR, Abdel-Wahab N, Reid PD, Sparks JA, Calabrese C, Jannat-Khah DP, Ghosh N, Rajesh D, Aude CA, Gedmintas L, MacFarlane L, Arabelovic S, Falohun A, Mushtaq K, Haj FA, Diab A, Shah AA, Bingham CO, Chan KK, Cappelli LC. Comparative safety and effectiveness of TNF inhibitors, IL6 inhibitors and methotrexate for the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2023 Jul;82(7):920-926. Epub 2023 Apr 5. PMID: 37019614; PMCID: PMC10330686.
- Cappelli LC, Bingham CO 3rd. Spectrum and impact of checkpoint inhibitor-induced irAEs. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2021 Feb;17(2):69-70. doi: 10.1038/s41584-020-00546-2. PubMed PMID: 33235330
- Braaten TJ, Brahmer JR, Forde PM, Le D, Lipson EJ, Naidoo J, Schollenberger M, Zheng L, Bingham CO, Shah AA, Cappelli LC. Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis persists after immunotherapy cessation. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020 Mar;79(3):332-338. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216109. Epub 2019 Sep 20. PubMed PMID: 31540935; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7031780
Memberships
- American College of Rheumatology
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- 4940 Eastern Avenue, Bayview Medical Offices, Level 01 (G), Clinic 5, Baltimore, MD 21224
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-997-1552
- fax: 410-550-1033
Expertise
Education
- Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Rheumatology, 2016
- Graduate School: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, MHS, 2015
- Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine, 2013
- Medical Education: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, 2010
Board Certifications
- Rheumatology: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2016
- Internal Medicine: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2013
Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
5 out of 5
80 ratings, 40 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/4/2026
Dr Cappelli is an excellent provider; I'm grateful to be her patient.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/4/2026
Excellent doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/25/2026
Dr. Cappelli listens to what I have to say about my condition and explains ongoing treatment clearly.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/11/2026
Very satisfied with care. Thank you
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/11/2026
Dr. Cappelli was attentive and caring
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
I am lucky to have a great doctor on Dr. Cappelli . She takes the take to listen to me and she explains things very clearly . She takes all the time that is needed . I never feel that she is in a rush to get to other patients thank you doctor Cappelli.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
I am very comfortable with my provider and feel we have a very good patient/Dr relationship
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
Dr Cappelli always takes her time with me and listens. She always has good suggestions for my problems.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/4/2026
Dr Laura Cappelli is the best rheumatologist I have ever seen. She is compassionate and you are important to her not just a number!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/28/2026
Excellent and compassionate physician!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/14/2026
Excellent ! I have all of the confidence possible, Dr Cappelli is world class.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2026
Everyone in the office was extremely friendly and helpful. Dr Cappelli was extremely knowledgeable and gave me much more insight than I had.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2026
Thoughtful, intelligent, helpful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2026
I look forward to my follow up appointments with Dr. Cappelli. She is easy to speak, listens to my health, concerns and answers all my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/7/2026
Love her
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2025
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2025
Absolute best
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/17/2025
Dr Cappelli made a referral to another Specialty that may be able to assist me with my pain. I have an appointment scheduled for a procedure recommended by the Pain Team. I am grateful that Dr. Cappelli made the referral so that I may hopefully improve my quality of life and manage my condition.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/10/2025
Dr Cappelli was gracious helpful and very knowledgeable. She was very generous with her time
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/10/2025
Dr Cappelli is the best doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2025
Dr. Cappelli is the best in her field.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/3/2025
I really like Dr Cappelli. She's thorough and a great communicator. She is tops in her field from my point of view.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/26/2025
Fantastic, engaged,,competent and committed
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/19/2025
I love Dr. Cappelli!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2025
My visit was fruitful and genial as usual.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/12/2025
I've been seeing Dr Cappelli for 9 yrs and she has treated me with respect snd she is extremely knowledgeable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2025
Dr Laura Cappelli is a dedicated exceptional physician with: knowledge, care and compassion second to none!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/5/2025
Dr. Cappelli has been my rheumatologist for several years now, and I can always rely on her. If I have a question or concern between visits, I can always reach her on My Chart, and she is very quick to respond.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/30/2025
She is an incredibly caring physician
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/24/2025
After my visit with Dr. Cappelli, I had no doubt that I was being cared for by JH's finest. She was knowledgeable, experienced and her communication skills were excellent.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/6/2025
Dr Cappelli is the best. Her suggestions are working well for me.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2025
Dr Cappelli really listens to you and goes over all the options with you very thorough
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2025
Dr. CAPPELLI IS EXCELLENT.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
Dr. Cappelli is very competent and compassionate to my medical concerns. She knows my medical history and considers all of my concerns. I trust her completely.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/4/2025
I was referred to Dr. Cappelli by Oncology for a new concern post Immunotherapy completion. Dr. Cappelli was very informed about my history and had a kind and friendly bedside manner. She presented me with options to treat, and I was extremely comfortable with her decisions and feel lucky to have seen her. I was advised to follow up and I will certainly do so with her.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/4/2025
Dr Cappelli is very compassionate and listens to address any issues
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/28/2025
Dr. Cappelli is an exceptional physician. She's very attentive and knowledgeable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/30/2025
Dr Cappelli has been my rheumatologist for close to 10 yrs snd I've been extremely satisfied with her care the entire time.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/23/2025
Dr. Cappelli listened to my issues, discussed the possible causes of my pain, suggested a plan, provided options depending on results of x-rays she ordered, and developed a plan going forward depending on my response to plan A. She was personable, professional, empathetic, and listened to my issues with concern and empathy! She is a wonderful physician. I would highly recommend anyone to see her!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2025
Dr. Cappelli - Very knowledgable, was aware of my conditions and working with other doctors to determine diagnosis and treament options.