The association between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and skin cancer: Different responses in American and European populations
This systematic review & meta-analysis investigated existing evidence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the prevention of skin cancer. The review examined this association across different NSAID subtypes & skin cancer subclasses. Over 200,000 cases and 1.3 million controls across 26 original studies were analysed. The results suggest that both NSAIDs and nonselective Cyclooxygenase inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and non-melanoma skin cancer, but not for melanoma. No association was observed between selective Cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors and skin cancer or any subclasses. Subgroup analysis did indicate no correlation between NSAIDs & skin cancer susceptibility in European populations. Overall, this review suggests that NSAIDs may reduce the risk of skin cancer, but that many factors such as study population, drug subtype & disease subclass can affect the strength of this association. More evidence within the Australian population would be required to introduce chemoprevention guidelines such as the ones in place for colorectal cancer.Â