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Updated: May 25, 2026

Receptor Autoradiography Protocol for the Localized Visualization of Angiotensin II Receptors
12:03

Receptor Autoradiography Protocol for the Localized Visualization of Angiotensin II Receptors

Published on: June 7, 2016

Critical review of cancer risk associated with angiotensin receptor blocker therapy

Grégoire Wuerzner1, Michel Burnier, Bernard Waeber

  • 1Service of Nephrology and Hypertension Consultation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Vascular Health and Risk Management
|January 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are not linked to increased cancer risk. Recent studies and meta-analyses confirm ARBs do not raise the likelihood of new cancer diagnoses or cancer-related deaths in patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Pharmacology
  • Oncology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • The potential link between angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and cancer risk is a significant concern in patient care.
  • A prior meta-analysis suggested ARBs might increase cancer occurrence and related mortality, sparking considerable debate.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the association between ARBs and cancer risk.
  • To address the conflicting findings from initial meta-analyses regarding ARBs and oncological outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of multiple meta-analyses examining ARB use.
  • Critical assessment of potential biases, such as selection bias, in meta-analytic studies.

Main Results:

  • Two subsequent meta-analyses found no increased risk of new cancer occurrence with ARB use.
  • These studies also indicated no elevated risk of cancer-related death in patients taking ARBs for hypertension, heart failure, or nephropathy.
  • The evidence suggests initial concerns may have stemmed from biased interpretations of meta-analytic data.

Conclusions:

  • ARBs are not associated with an increased risk of cancer.
  • Results from meta-analyses must be interpreted with caution due to potential biases.
  • Current evidence supports the safety of ARBs concerning cancer risk.
Keywords:
angiotensin receptor blockercancerhypertensionmeta-analyses

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