Raised melanoma risk from biologics ‘cannot be ruled out’

Authors of systematic review and meta-analysis say larger studies are needed to clarify the issue
Reuters Health Staff writer
melanoma

Pooled evidence from cohort studies of patients treated with biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis, IBD and psoriasis does not show a statistically significant increased risk of melanoma, a study shows.

However, because the systematic review and meta-analysis found trends toward increased melanoma rates with long-term therapy, a clinically meaningful increase in risk cannot be ruled out, the investigators say.