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Use of Antihypertensive Drugs and Risk of Malignant Melanoma: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

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Abstract

Introduction

Several antihypertensive drugs are photosensitizing and may promote the development of malignant melanoma (MM), but evidence remains inconsistent. We sought to quantify the association between use of antihypertensive drugs and MM risk.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL from inception to August 17, 2017 to identify observational studies that reported the MM risk associated with the use of antihypertensive drugs. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Overall, we included eight observational studies (two cohort studies and six case–control studies). Compared with non-use, use of diuretics (OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.03–1.17) or β-adrenergic blocking agents (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.04–1.37) was significantly associated with increased risk of MM. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (OR 1.08; 95% CI 0.95–1.23), angiotensin II receptor blockers (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.95–1.31), and calcium channel blockers (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.72–1.74) was not significantly associated with increased risk of MM.

Conclusions

Current evidence from observational studies suggests that use of diuretics or β-adrenergic blocking agents may be associated with increased risk of MM. Further large well-conducted prospective studies are required to confirm our findings.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, 1050 Wishard Blvd, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Huilin Tang, Yiqing Song & Jiali Han

  2. Center for Pharmacoepidemiology, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Huilin Tang, Yiqing Song & Jiali Han

  3. Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China

    Huilin Tang & Suodi Zhai

  4. School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Shuangshuang Fu

  5. Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Jiali Han

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  1. Huilin Tang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jiali Han.

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Ethical approval and patient consent were not required for this study.

Funding

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this study.

Conflicts of interest

Huilin Tang, Shuangshuang Fu, Suodi Zhai, Yiqing Song and Jiali Han have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Tang, H., Fu, S., Zhai, S. et al. Use of Antihypertensive Drugs and Risk of Malignant Melanoma: A Meta-analysis of Observational Studies. Drug Saf 41, 161–169 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-017-0599-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-017-0599-x

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