Increased Risk of Hematologic Malignancy in Moderate to Severe Psoriasis in Relation to the Use of Systemic Immunosuppressants: A Nationwide Population-Based Matched Cohort Study.
The relationship between cancer and the use of systemic immunosuppressants in psoriasis treatment has not well established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the systemic immunosuppressants used in the treatment for psoriasis and the risk of certain cancers in Korean patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 93,152 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis and 205,850 matched controls in Korea, using merged data from the National Health Insurance System, Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, and Korea National Cancer Incidence Database from 2008 to 2018.
Results
The study observed a lower incidence of any cancer in moderate to severe psoriasis patients (2.4%) compared to the general population (2.99%). However, there was a higher risk of hematologic cancers, particularly Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia, and cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Notably, methotrexate doses of ≥ 17.5 mg/week increased the risk of hematologic cancer risk by 7.546 times and cutaneous T cell lymphoma risk by 9.038 times, but cyclosporine and corticosteroids use did not show a significant association with increased incidence of hematologic cancers. Meanwhile, use of cyclosporine, methotrexate and corticosteroid did not significantly affect the risk of skin cancer among patients with psoriasis.
Conclusion
This study reveals an increased risk of hematologic cancers, such as cutaneous T cell lymphomas, associated with high-dose immunosuppressant use in moderate to severe psoriasis, underscoring the need for careful treatment management.
