Beta-blockers may improve survival among patients with malignant melanoma

January 01, 0001

Beta-blockers may improve survival among patients with malignant melanoma

The aim of the researchers from the USA and Denmark was to study whether use of beta-blockers increases survival in patients with malignant melanoma because experimental data suggest that catecholamine hormones may be involved in stimulating the aggressiveness of malignant melanoma. A total of 4,179 patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma in Denmark with a median follow-up of 4.9 years and identified in the Danish Cancer Registry participated. Data on beta-blocker use, comorbidity, and survival were obtained from medical and administrative databases. A total of 372 (8.9%) patients with malignant melanoma were treated with beta-blockers within 90 days of melanoma diagnosis. The median beta-blocker duration for exposure within 90 days of melanoma diagnosis, more than 90 days, and no prior exposure was 7.6, 1.4, and 0 years, respectively. The patients receiving â-blockers were older, had more comorbidities, and more cardiovascular and psychotropic drug user than the patients receiving no â- blockers prior to melanoma diagnosis.

After adjustment for age and comorbidity index, the HR for melanoma death was 0.87 and for all-cause mortality was 0.81.

The researchers concluded: "Increased survival time of patients with melanoma receiving â-blockers suggests that use of this drug may hold promise in treatment strategy for these patients." They added: "The observations described here suggest that catecholamines may retard melanoma progression and that â-blockers may have unrecognized potential as a therapeutic intervention for melanoma."

Interesting observation, but would doctors prescribe beta-blockers based on this?

For the full abstract, click here.

Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention published online 20 September 2011 © 2011 American Association for Cancer Research
Beta-Blockers and Survival among Danish Patients with Malignant Melanoma: A Population-Based Cohort Study. Stanley Lemeshow, Henrik Toft Sørensen, Gary Phillips et al. Correspondence to Ronald Glaser: Ronald.glaser@osumc.edu

Category: S. Skin. Keywords: beta blockers, survival, cancer, population-based cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 21 October 2011

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