Study Warns Doctors To Be Aware of Other Prescriptions When Treating Cancer Patients

Researchers indicate that several commonly used drugs may reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatments or enhance them in unexpected ways.

A new study suggests some prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can change how cancer patients respond to treatment, in some cases making it less effective. As a result, researchers are calling on medical providers to pay closer attention to other medications a cancer patient may be taking.

According to findings published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on January 7, cancer patients often turn to common OTC painkillers or are prescribed corticosteroids, yet those medications may alter how well certain cancer treatments work.

Researchers found that both over-the-counter and prescription drugs can influence the body’s immune response, potentially affecting the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy. 

While medications such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used to ease side effects, the study suggested they may also interfere with immunotherapy treatments designed to help the immune system target and destroy cancer cells.

For the new study, researchers from Duke University Medical Center in Durham North Carolina reviewed more than 50 studies focusing on immunotherapy and common medications taken by cancer patients. Led by Dr. Nicholas DeVito, the team focused on drugs that interacted with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), or immunotherapy drugs, used during treatment to kill cancer cells.

Researchers warned that some medications can reduce the effectiveness of immunotherapy, increase cancer spread, or worsen harmful side effects. The findings showed that dozens of common drugs may interfere with immune checkpoint inhibitors or, in some cases, enhance the immune-based therapies.

• OTC pain relievers and acid reducers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and proton pump inhibitors were linked to reduced immunotherapy effectiveness.
• Corticosteroids: Commonly prescribed to manage inflammation and side effects, corticosteroids were found to suppress immune activity and reduce the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Researchers suggested anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs as potential alternatives.
• Antihistamines: Use of antihistamines was associated with increased anti-tumor immune responses in some patients.
• Antidepressants: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were linked to tumor growth suppression while also altering immune responses.
• Statins: Cholesterol-lowering statins were associated with enhanced tumor immunity during immunotherapy.
• GLP-1 drugs: Medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy were linked to changes that may allow cancer to evolve during treatment.

Drug Interactions May Lead to Medical Mistakes

Researchers warned that ignoring these factors can lead to misinterpretation of clinical results and prevent some from receiving the best outcomes.     

The research team noted that many doctors simply do not consider what other medications are prescribed to cancer patients, whether prescription or OTC. Those medications can affect long-term outcomes.

They concluded that since oncologists cannot account for confounding effects of medications when treating cancer, they should collaborate to integrate medication tracking for better care. Additionally, they called on doctors to discuss medications and other factors that can interfere with cancer treatments.

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