Row over blood pressure cancer drug claim

Monday June 14th, 2010

People taking a popular blood pressure drug may face a slightly increased risk of developing cancer, researchers claimed today.

Researchers said the increased risk identified was "modest but significant" - and there was no significant increase in deaths.

The findings, reported in The Lancet Oncology, show that lung cancer is the main cancer linked to the drugs, known as angiotensin-receptor blockers or ARBs, raising the possibility of lifestyle factors, such as smoking, playing a part.

The study comes from an analysis of 18 studies of the drug involving some 220,000 patients. The most widely used ARB was telmisartan.

According to the analysis the proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer increased from six per cent to 7.2 per cent if they were taking ARBs.

However researcher Dr Ilke Sipahi, of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA, said the risk of lung cancer was increased by 25 per cent.

He said it was the first time such a link had been found.

British campaigners dismissed the findings as "inconclusive".

Judy O'Sullivan, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "The benefits of taking the drug are well established and it remains an effective treatment for many of the 2.6 million people in the UK living with coronary heart disease.

"We need more research to look specifically into any potential risks of developing cancer when taking ARBs. For now, anyone concerned about their risk of developing cancer should talk to their doctor."

She added: "This analysis of previous research is inconclusive and anyone taking ARBs to treat their heart disease, or risk of developing it, shouldn't stop based on this alone."

The Lancet Oncology June 14 2010

Tags: Cancer | Heart Health | North America | Respiratory | UK News

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