Reassuring Data on Cancer Risk with Contemporary RA Drugs

A limitation of the study is that follow-up time and statistical power are “inherently limited to less than 10 years,” given the relatively recent introduction of non-TNF inhibitor therapy in RA.

Despite this, they say it can be concluded from this study that “short-to medium-term use of tocilizumab, abatacept, rituximab, or anti-TNF drugs seems to be safe with regard to risks of incident cancer.”

Reference

1. Wadström H, Frisell T, Askling J, et al. Malignant Neoplasms in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated With Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors, Tocilizumab, Abatacept, or Rituximab in Clinical Practice: A Nationwide Cohort Study From Sweden. JAMA Intern Med. 2017 Sept 18. [Epub ahead of print]