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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Good news for spondyloarthritis patients on long-term biologics. A large French study found that using targeted therapy for more than 6 months per year was not associated with a higher overall cancer risk compared to shorter exposure — and may even slightly lower the risk of blood cancers. The findings offer reassuring safety data for patients and clinicians navigating long-term treatment decisions.
Good news for spondyloarthritis patients on long-term biologics. A large French study tracking over 56,000 adults with spondyloarthritis (SpA) — including those with psoriatic arthritis — found that prolonged exposure to targeted therapy (more than 6 months per year) was not associated with a higher overall cancer risk. In fact, longer exposure was linked to a slightly lower risk compared to shorter durations, though the finding was borderline statistically significant.
Researchers drew on a national health insurance database, following patients for a median of 5 years after they initiated targeted therapy between 2014 and 2022. A total of 1,224 cancers were recorded during follow-up, with the majority being solid tumors.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: For clinicians managing SpA long-term, cancer risk is a key concern when prescribing biologics and targeted therapies. These findings provide meaningful reassurance that sustained treatment does not appear to elevate cancer risk — supporting continued use when clinically indicated.
