Voriconazole Increases Risk for Skin Cancer in Lung Transplant Recipients

Further evidence that prolonged courses of voriconazole increase the already substantial incidence of skin squamous cell carcinoma after lung transplantation.

Because lung transplant recipients are at high risk for invasive aspergillosis (IA), many centers employ the antifungal medication voriconazole as prophylaxis in a universal or targeted approach (Am J Transplant 2013; 13:228 and Clin Infect Dis 2010; 50:1101). Voriconazole is also prescribed for 6 to 12 weeks, and often longer, for those who develop IA. Consequently, lung transplant recipients often have prolonged cumulative exposure to this agent.

To clarify a previously described association between voriconazole and skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), investigators conducted an international, retrospective, cohort study involving 900 patients who received lung transplants from 2005 through 2008. Recipients received one of four treatments: …

Reviewing Author

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Daniel Kaul, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNobelpharma; Pfizer

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Transplantation (Program Committee)

Voriconazole Increases Risk for Skin Cancer in Lung Transplant Recipients

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Reviewing Author