Perspective - (2023) Volume 7, Issue 1
Received: 30-Jan-2023, Manuscript No. IPIPR-23-15850 ; Editor assigned: 01-Feb-2023, Pre QC No. IPIPR-23-15850 (PQ); Reviewed: 15-Feb-2023, QC No. IPIPR-23-15850 ; Revised: 20-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. IPIPR-23-15850 (R); Published: 27-Feb-2023, DOI: 10.21767/IPIPR.23.07.002
Antihypertensive drugs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. Given its widespread use, many assumptions have been made regarding its association with various malignancies, including melanoma. Photosensitivity has been reported as an adverse reaction to nearly all classes of antihypertensive drugs, initially raised concerns about an increased risk of skin cancer. However, the idea that cancers need a blood source to grow and that a reduced vascular supply limits growth has given rise to the theory that antihypertensive drugs might actually help treat cancer. Recent experimental studies have improved our understanding of the mechanism of action of common antihypertensive drugs. Many of these drugs, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics, have targets that are not restricted to the cardiovascular system instead, they often cross-react with receptors and channels on cells throughout the body.
Antihypertensive drugs can also affect immune cells. Several blood pressure drugs have been proposed to stimulate immune system cells, including B and T lymphocytes. This is theoretically beneficial for immunogenic cancers like melanoma, which rely on natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and T lymphocytes for immune surveillance. Beta blockers work by blocking the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine on their receptors. They are prescribed for a variety of indications, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and infantile hemangioma. There are limited studies to help doctors determine whether this treatment can reduce the risk of developing melanoma. In a large cohort of approximately 5 million Danish residents, neither atenolol nor sotalol use was associated with an increased risk of developing cutaneous melanoma.
The Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) is important in the regulation of blood pressure. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI) prevents the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) selectively block the binding of angiotensin II to angiotensin II receptors. These drugs are most commonly used to treat hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and diabetic nephropathy. However, given the potential role of angiotensin II in melanoma progression, ACEIs and ARBs have also been considered as potential antitumor agents. Furthermore, both ACEIs and ARBs are associated with reduced incidence of keratinocyte cancer, hypothesizing that these agents may also reduce the risk of melanoma. To date, various population- based studies and one randomized controlled trial have failed to establish an association between melanoma and his exposure to ACEIs or ARBs. However, short-term or high-intensity use of either drug was not significantly associated with melanoma. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) are drugs that are widely used to treat various cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, angina pectoris, and cardiac arrhythmias. They work by blocking the inward movement of calcium by binding to specific types of voltage-gated calcium channels having different affinities (dihydropyridines such as amlodipine and nifedipine).
Although concerns have been raised that CCBs increase cancer risk, epidemiological studies have found no association between this class of drugs and melanoma incidence, melanoma recurrence, or melanoma-related mortality. Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial of hypertensive patients treated with CCB found no significant change in melanoma risk. Although calcium signaling is important in many immune cells, the use of CCB in combination with immunotherapy has not been evaluated. Several experimental studies have demonstrated the ability of CCB to influence the immune system, particularly by interfering with T-cell function and macrophage activation.
Citation: Ishim J (2023) Antihypertensive Medications Demonstrate the Strongest Association with Melanoma. J Pharm Pharm Res. 07:002.
Copyright: © 2023 Ishim J. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
