The Protective Effects of Biologics on Skin Cancer in Patients with Psoriasis: A Database Study

Summary: This study explores the potential protective effects of biologics on skin cancer in patients with psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory condition linked to increased cancer risk. Using the All of Us Database (AoUDB), researchers analyzed patients treated with biologics—such as IL17 and IL23 inhibitors, and TNF-alpha inhibitors—and non-biologics like methotrexate, cyclosporine, and apremilast. Propensity score matching ensured balanced demographics. Results showed biologics reduced the relative risk of actinic keratosis (AK) and possibly basal cell carcinoma (BCC), with varying efficacy between biologic subtypes. Conventional non-biologics, except apremilast, did not exhibit similar benefits. The findings suggest biologics may mitigate chronic inflammation’s role in skin cancer risk, although small sample sizes and data limitations warrant further research. Personalized treatment approaches and long-term studies are needed to confirm these effects.