Use of antiepileptic drugs and risk of skin cancer: A nationwide case-control study - 09/01/20
Abstract |
Background |
Several antiepileptic drugs are photosensitizing; however, it is not known whether this confers an increased risk of skin cancer.
Objective |
To examine the association between common antiepileptic drugs and basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and malignant melanoma.
Methods |
We conducted a nested case-control study identifying skin cancer patients in Denmark from 2004 through 2015 matched 1:10 with disease-free controls. We estimated odds ratios (ORs) for skin cancer associated with high cumulative use of antiepileptic drugs (≥500 defined daily doses) compared with nonuse.
Results |
Most antiepileptic drugs were not associated with skin cancer. SCC was associated with use of carbamazepine (OR, 1.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-2.49) and lamotrigine (OR, 1.57; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.22) with evidence of a dose-response relationship for carbamazepine. The estimated absolute risks were low; for example, 6335 person-years of high cumulative exposure to carbamazepine were required for 1 additional SCC to occur.
Limitations |
Data on important risk factors for skin cancer, such as sun exposure, were not available.
Conclusions |
Most antiepileptic drugs were not associated with skin cancer; however, carbamazepine and lamotrigine were associated with SCC. These findings need to be replicated and characterized further in other settings and have no direct clinical implications.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : adverse effects, antiepileptic drugs, cancer risk, epidemiology, malignant melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, pharmacology, skin cancer
Abbreviations used : AED, BCC, CI, DDD, IRR, MM, OR, SCC, UV
Plan
Funding sources: Supported by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (grant 8020-00176B). |
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Disclosure: Dr Pottegård has participated in research projects funded by Alcon, Almirall, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Servier, Novo Nordisk, and LEO Pharma. All funds were paid to the institution where he was employed and had no relation to the present study. Drs Kristensen, Pedersen, and Schmidt report no conflicts of interest. |
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Reprints not available from the authors. |
Vol 82 - N° 2
P. 326-335 - février 2020 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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