Antidepressants may cut risk of colorectal cancer
Researchers at McGill University have confirmed for the first time in human beings that the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), the most popular form of antidepressant, may decrease the risk of colorectal tumours.
Their study tracked nearly 10,000 people in Saskatchewan identified with colorectal cancer between January 1, 1981 and December 31, 2000. The findings suggest that exposure to SSRIs before diagnosis may cut the risk of colorectal cancer, very likely through limiting the growth of tumours. Dr. Jean-Paul Collet and Dr. Stan Shapiro, professors in the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Occupational Health, and McGill graduate students Wanning Xu and Hani Tamim authored the study, set to be published in the April edition of The Lancet Oncology Journal, available online on March 8.
"We found that the risk of cancer in SSRI users is only 70 percent of the risk in non-users," said Collet. He added that the findings showed that frequency and amount of SSRIs also affected the positive effect of the drug. "There is a dose effect: the higher the dose used, the higher the protective effect."
SSRIs are the most frequently used drug in the treatment of depression. The study does not recommend they be used to prevent the occurrence of colorectal cancer.
Collet said the study is most useful to continuing the research on the understanding of the mechanism of action of the drugs. "Our results are important because they confirm in human beings results that were observed in animals and they give solid rationale to continue research."
