Biologics Do Not Increase Skin Cancer Risk in Patients With Chronic Inflammatory Cutaneous Disease

The incidence of skin cancer in patients with chronic inflammatory cutaneous disease is not increased with biologic treatments, according to a recent study published in Frontiers in Oncology.

“The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the risk of cutaneous malignancies in patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or hidradenitis suppurativa treated with targeted therapies,” explained the study authors.

Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to evaluate cutaneous malignancy risk. PubMed and EMBASE were searched from database inception to September 15, 2020, for literature related to the risk of skin cancer in patients with inflammatory cutaneous diseases and who were treated with targeted therapies.

Results from the meta-analysis suggests that the risk of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC) is not increased with the treatment of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and/or hidradenitis suppurativa using TNF-α inhibitors, ustekinumab, apremilast, or tofacitinib compared with “non-biologic” systemic treatments.

“In summary, this updated systematic review and meta-analysis seems to suggest that no differences exist between treatment of chronic cutaneous diseases with biotechnological drugs/small molecules and conventional [disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs] in terms of HR/IRR for melanoma, while data on NMSC are more controversial,” concluded the study authors. “Nevertheless, periodic dermatologic screening should be ensured for all patients undergoing these therapies,” they added.

Reference
Crisafulli S, Bertino L, Fontana A, et al. Incidence of skin cancer in patients with chronic inflammatory cutaneous diseases on targeted therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Front Oncol. 2021;11:687432. doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.687432