Common hypertension medications may reduce colorectal cancer risk

Date:
July 6, 2020
Source:
American Heart Association
Summary:
People who take angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-i)
or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) for conditions such as
high blood pressure were less likely to be diagnosed with colorectal
cancer after having a normal colonoscopy. This is the first study
to show potential benefits on colorectal cancer development from
these commonly prescribed hypertension medications, based on a
study of more than 185,000 patients.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Medications commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure may also
reduce patients' colorectal cancer risk, according to new research
published today in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal.


========================================================================== Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-i) or angiotensin II
receptor blocker (ARB) medications are prescribed for conditions such as
heart failure, high blood pressure or heart disease. These medications
inhibit or block angiotensin, a chemical that causes arteries to become
narrow. Doctors commonly prescribe these medications to people with
high blood pressure to relax and open blood vessels, thereby lowering
blood pressure.

Based on the findings of this large study, taking these medications may
also reduce colorectal cancer risk. Colorectal cancer is the third most
common cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide.

"The roles of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on cancer development are
controversial and, in some cases, study findings are conflicting. Results
of previous studies have been limited by several factors including a
small number of patients and data only on short-term follow-ups. Our
results provide new insights on a potential role of these medications
for colorectal cancer prevention," said study author Wai K. Leung, M.D., clinical professor of medicine at the University of Hong Kong in Hong
Kong, China. "This is the first study to show the potential beneficial
effects of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on colorectal cancer development,
based on a large group of patients who were colorectal cancer-free at
the beginning of the study." Researchers reviewed health records of
187,897 adult patients in Hong Kong from 2005 to 2013, with a negative
baseline colonoscopy for colorectal cancer. The analysis found that:
* those who took hypertension medications such as ACE-i or ARBs had
a 22%
lower risk of developing colorectal cancer in the subsequent three
years; the benefits of ACE-i and ARBs were seen in patients 55 or
older and those with a history of colon polyps; and the benefit
associated with the medications was limited to the first three
years after the negative baseline colonoscopy.

"While ACE-i and ARBs are taken by patients with high blood pressure,
heart failure and kidney diseases, the reduction in colorectal cancer
risk may be an additional factor for physicians to consider when choosing anti-hypertensive medications," Leung said.

This is a retrospective study, looking back at whether patients on
these medications developed colorectal cancer. Researchers note that
the results should be verified with a prospective randomized controlled
study, which would actively follow patients to determine the potential
benefits of these medications on colorectal cancer risk.


========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by American_Heart_Association. Note:
Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Ka Shing Cheung, Esther W. Chan, Wai Kay Seto, Ian C.K. Wong, Wai K.

Leung. ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors/Angiotensin
Receptor Blockers Are Associated With Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk.

Hypertension, 2020; DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.15317 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200706094820.htm

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