Findings published in JAMA Dermatology suggested that clinically important increases in melanoma risk in patients treated with biologic therapy for common inflammatory diseases cannot yet be ruled out.
However, the researchers also indicated that future studies with larger patient numbers that adjust for key risk factors are necessary to resolve the issue of long-term safety of biologic therapy.
“We advocate for more large, well-designed studies of this issue to be performed to help improve certainty,” the authors wrote. “Prospective cohort studies using an active- comparator, new-user study design providing detailed information on treatment history, concomitant treatments, biologic and conventional systemic treatment duration, recreational and treatment-related UV exposure, skin color, and date of melanoma diagnosis are required to help improve certainty. These studies would…
