Results from a recent retrospective cohort study presented at the American College of Gastroenterology's annual meeting has shown that people with IBD who take a class of drugs called thiopurines are at an increased risk for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Two IBD drugs that are thiopurines are Imuran (azathioprine) and Purinethol (6-mercaptopurine).
The risk of NMSC was calculated to be 3 times greater in those with IBD who took a thiopurine when compared to people with IBD who were not taking these drugs. An open question that the study was not able to resolve was whether the risk of skin cancer was due solely to the thiopurines, or if the changes in the immune system caused by the IBD itself contribute to the risk. Because of this risk of skin cancer connected with the thiopurines, the authors of the study recommend that people taking these drugs use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
Source:
Long M, et al. "New Study Reveals Possible Link Between Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease And Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer." American College of Gastroenterology 26 Oct 2009. 5 Nov 2009.
Do you know if Asocol is one of the drugs in question?
Thanks.
No, Asacol was not one of the drugs mentioned in the study.
not to say its better or worse than other drugs but Asacol actually decreases the chance of cancer by it acting as a anti-oxidant. The drug, mesalamine, is related to aspirin.
in studies, there has been no cancer cells caused by exposure to it.