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Updated: Jul 16, 2026
11:38
High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)
Published on: May 10, 2016
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
Summary
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.
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