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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)
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Identifying carcinogenic hazards among pharmaceutical agents: An update from the IARC Monographs programme

Elisa Pasqual1, Andrew Kunzmann1, Julia Rezende da Silva1

  • 1International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, Lyon, France.

Cancer Epidemiology
|July 14, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This review examines pharmaceuticals classified as human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Pharmacoepidemiology data is crucial for identifying drug-induced cancer hazards and informing safety policies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacoepidemiology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Review of pharmaceuticals evaluated for carcinogenicity by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monographs programme (1971-2024).
  • Analysis of recommended evaluation priorities (2024-2029) for pharmaceuticals.
  • Stimulating epidemiological research for human cancer and mechanistic evidence in hazard identification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evaluation of pharmaceuticals classified as human carcinogens by IARC.
  • To summarize recommended evaluation priorities for pharmaceuticals.
  • To encourage research contributing to cancer hazard identification.

Main Methods:

  • Extracted data on cancer in humans/animals and mechanistic evidence for IARC Groups 1, 2A, and 2B pharmaceuticals (1971-2026) from published IARC monographs.
  • Summarized pharmaceuticals prioritized for evaluation (2025-2029) by the IARC Monographs Advisory Group.
  • Highlighted available human cancer and mechanistic study data for prioritized pharmaceuticals.

Main Results:

  • 77 pharmaceuticals evaluated: 24 Group 1, 13 Group 2A, 40 Group 2B.
  • 22 pharmaceuticals prioritized for evaluation, including antineoplastic, hormonal, and immunosuppressant agents.
  • High-priority drugs include cancer treatments (anthracyclines, cisplatin), GLP-1 agonists, paracetamol, and contraceptives, with evidence of increased malignancies.

Conclusions:

  • Pharmacoepidemiology data, particularly cancer and mechanistic endpoints, significantly aids pharmaceutical cancer hazard identification within the IARC Monographs programme.
  • These findings can inform policy for patient and occupational safety.
  • Evidence from human studies and mechanistic data are key drivers for prioritizing pharmaceutical evaluations.
Keywords:
Cancer hazardIARC MonographsPharmacoepidemiology

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