Does Methotrexate Increase Risk for Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma in Patients With Psoriasis?

Source: Dermatology Advisor, March 2020

Although methotrexate has been associated with an increased risk for cutaneous malignant melanoma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, a study has found no association between methotrexate treatment and risk for this form of melanoma in patients with psoriasis. The findings, published in the British Journal of Dermatology, may be reassuring for dermatologists who prescribe methotrexate to patients with psoriasis.

The nested case-control study included a register data comprising Swedish patients with psoriasis and a first case of cutaneous malignant melanoma between 2010 and 2016 (N=395). A total of 10 randomly selected patients with psoriasis and without cancer were matched to each case of cutaneous malignant melanoma in terms of age and sex.

Study investigators examined the accumulated doses of methotrexate in both the cutaneous malignant melanoma cases and control groups. Stages of cutaneous malignant melanoma were compared in cases who were and were not exposed to methotrexate. In addition, mortality and melanoma-specific mortality were compared in the 2 groups and within the cutaneous malignant melanoma cases.

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