Allergy medications to reduce cancer risk?

The researchers concluded that the use of antihistamines may reduce the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatitis B and C, but further research is needed.

The use of H1 antihistamines (diphenhydramine, chloropyramine, cetirizine, and others) may reduce the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HBC), or B and C (HBV/HBC) dual infection.

A study was conducted based on the database of the National Taiwan Medical Insurance Company for the period from January 2006 to December 2015. Data were used on 521,071 patients with HBV infection, 169,159 with HCV infection, and 39,016 with dual infection.

Among HBV patients, the incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma among those taking antihistamines versus those not taking them was 198.35 versus 426.03 per 100,000 person-years. In the HCV cohort, the incidence rate among those who took antihistamines versus those who did not was 651.26 versus 1334.80 per 100,000 person-years. In the dual infection cohort, the incidence rate was 1059.31 versus 2165.81 per 100,000 person-years, respectively.

We thank E.F. Satirova, head of the department of antitumor drug treatment, oncologist K+31 West, for the up-to-date information.