Strongest evidence yet shows negligible increase in melanoma risk from methotrexate
Source: Monash University, September 2022
A new meta-analysis from School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine researchers shows that the widely-used anti-inflammatory methotrexate has a negligible effect on the risk of developing melanoma, essentially a 0.005 per cent risk increase for Australians using the drug. The findings allay growing concerns among the medical community around this potential side effect.
The results were published in high-impact journal JAMA Dermatology.
Low-dose methotrexate is used widely around the world to combat the effects of inflammatory arthritis and some dermatological conditions. Despite this, a mounting body of evidence generated concern that it’s use may be associated with an increase in melanoma incidence.