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Review
. 2023 Jul 27;15(15):3824.
doi: 10.3390/cancers15153824.

Extraintestinal Cancers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Literature Review

Affiliations
Review

Extraintestinal Cancers in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Literature Review

Alessandro Massano et al. Cancers (Basel). .

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic multifactorial inflammatory disorders including two major entities: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Preliminary evidence suggests that patients with IBD may be at increased risk of developing intestinal and extraintestinal cancers (EICs). Actually, little is known about the association between IBD and EICs, and there is ever-growing concern regarding the safety of immunomodulators and biological therapy, which may represent a risk factor for carcinogenesis.

Aims: The aim of this review is to summarize the evidence regarding the association between IBD and EICs, the safety of immunomodulators and biological therapy and the management of immunomodulators and biologic agents in IBD patients with prior or current EICs.

Results: IBD patients have a higher risk of developing different forms of extraintestinal solid organ tumors and hematological malignancies. Immunomodulators and biological therapy may increase the risk of developing some types of EICs and may be consciously used in patients with IBD and current or prior history of malignancy.

Conclusions: Decisions regarding the use of immunomodulators or biological therapies should be made on an individual basis, considering a multidisciplinary approach involving oncologists.

Keywords: biologic agents; extraintestinal cancers; inflammatory bowel disease; malignancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

A.M: none; L.B.: none; F.Z: none; A.B: none; P.V.: none; M.F.: none; M.S: none; C.R.: none; I.A.: none; E.V.S: has served as speaker for Abbvie, Agave, AGPharma, Alfasigma, Aurora Pharma, CaDiGroup, Celltrion, Dr. Falk, EG Stada Group, Fenix Pharma, Fresenius Kabi, Galapagos, Janssen, JB Pharmaceuticals, Innovamedica/Adacyte, Malesci, Mayoly Biohealth, Omega Pharma, Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser, Sandoz, SILA, Sofar, Takeda, Tillots, Unifarco; has served as consultant for Abbvie, Agave, Alfasigma, Biogen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Diadema Farmaceutici, Dr. Falk, Fenix Pharma, Fresenius Kabi, Janssen, JB Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co, Nestlè, Reckitt Benckiser, Regeneron, Sanofi, SILA, Sofar, Synformulas GmbH, Takeda, Unifarco; he received research support from Pfizer, Reckitt Benckiser, SILA, Sofar, Unifarco, Zeta Farmaceutici; B.B: has served as a speaker for Agave, Alfasigma, AGpharma, Janssen, MSD, Procise, Sofar, Takeda, Unifarco.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of IBD and risk of malignancies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of IBD therapies and risk of malignancies according to current evidence. In red, strong evidence of risk of malignancy. In yellow, weak or moderate evidence of increased risk. In green, no evidence of increased risk. In blue, insufficient evidence. Abbreviations: 5-ASA, 5-aminosalicylate; TNFi, TNFα-inhibitors.

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