Risk of cancer in patients with psoriasis on biological therapies: a systematic review. (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peleva, E.; Exton, L.S.; Kelley, K.; Kleyn, C.E.; Mason, K.J.; Smith, C.H.
• Is Part Of: British journal of dermatology. Volume 178:Number 1(2018)
• Page Start: e76
• Page End: e76
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/bjd.16188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-0963

Abstract

Summary: Psoriasis is a skin condition that leads to inflammation, resulting in red, scaly skin. Biologic therapies are very powerful treatments for psoriasis, but unfortunately, they have significant effects on the immune system, which may increase the possibility of getting cancers. The authors of this study analysed previous research (until August 2016) that looked at whether patients with psoriasis who received biologic therapies got more cancers compared to other patients. Some studies found that there was an increase in certain types of skin cancers, called non‐melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). There was no increase in any other types of cancers in the studies. However, the authors recognised several weaknesses in the studies, which could have affected the results. More research is needed to know whether there really is an increased risk of skin cancer with biologic treatment. Patients participating in long term studies such as the British Association of Dermatologists Biologic Interventions Register (BADBIR) will help to answer this important question.