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No association between use of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and colorectal cancer in men with erectile dysfunction

Lucía Cea Soriano1,2, Luis A García Rodríguez1

  • 1Spanish Centre for Pharmacoepidemiologic Research (CEIFE), Madrid, Spain.

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
|April 9, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study found no increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor use in men. These findings do not support a link between PDE5 inhibitors and CRC onset in males.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Selective phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are being investigated for potential chemoprotective effects.
  • Previous research suggests an immune-mediated anti-tumor effect of PDE5 inhibitors on digestive tract tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the potential effect of selective PDE5 inhibitors on colorectal cancer (CRC) onset.
  • To investigate the association between PDE5 inhibitor use and CRC risk in a large male cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A nested case-control study was conducted using data from The Health Improvement Network database.
  • A cohort of 200,000 new low-dose aspirin users and a matched comparison group (aged 40-84) were followed from 2000-2011.
  • CRC cases were identified and validated; PDE5 inhibitor use (current, recent, past) was compared to non-use.

Main Results:

  • Analysis restricted to males showed no significant association between current PDE5 inhibitor use and CRC risk (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.69-1.60).
  • No increased risk was observed for recent (OR 1.36, 95% CI: 0.81-2.28) or past users (OR 1.06, 95% CI: 0.72-1.58).
  • No duration-response effect was detected.

Conclusions:

  • The study's findings do not support an increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with PDE5 inhibitor use in men.
  • These results suggest that PDE5 inhibitors are not linked to a higher risk of CRC in males with erectile dysfunction.
Keywords:
colorectal cancerelectronic medical recordserectile dysfunctionpharmacoepidemiologyphosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors

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