Does Immunosuppressive Therapy Increase the Risk for Cancer Recurrence?

The immunomodulatory agents azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine increase risk for lymphoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. Anti–tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents may increase the risk for melanoma. A separate though related question is whether patients with an established diagnosis of cancer who are treated with immunosuppressive agents have an increased risk for recurrence or new primary cancers. Some guidelines recommend that patients with cancer stop immunosuppressive therapy for as many as 5 years after cancer diagnosis.

To estimate the risk for recurrent cancer and new primary cancers in patients treated with immunosuppressive agents, the authors analyzed data from 16 studies identified in a literature review, including 7 studies in patien…