Key clinical point: Exposure to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARD) did not seem to be associated with an elevated risk for recurrent or new cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and a history of cancer.
Major finding: The risk for recurrent or new cancer was not significantly higher in patients with RA receiving bDMARDs (relative risk [RR], 1.09; P = .31), tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (RR 1.11; P = .45), or rituximab (RR 0.79; P = .49) vs. those not receiving bDMARDs.
Study details: This was a meta-analysis of 12 observational studies involving patients with RA who had a history of cancer and received bDMARDs.
Disclosures: No specific funding was received for this study. The authors declared receiving honoraria or grants from various sources.
Source: Wetzman A et al. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 Sep 21. doi: 10.1002/acr.24784 .