TNF Inhibitors Are Associated with Higher Risk for Melanoma in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Immune deficiency states, such as immunosuppression for organ transplantation, are associated with elevated risk for malignant melanoma. Although use of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) inhibitors (e.g., infliximab [Remicade]) raises risk for opportunistic infections, whether their use is associated with excess risk for melanoma is unclear. In this population-based cohort study from Sweden, investigators evaluated the association between TNF inhibitor use and melanoma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Overall, 11,000 RA patients who had been treated with TNF inhibitors, 42,000 RA patients who were not treated with TNF inhibitors, and 163,000 matched controls from the general population participated in the study. Median follow-up was 4…