No increased cancer risk with anti-TNFs

A Swedish observational study has found no overall increase in cancer risk with anti-TNF agents after six years’ treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (Arthritis Rheum 2009;60:3180-9).

    Swedish national registry data for 6366 patients newly starting an anti-TNF therapy revealed an increased risk of cancer during the first year of treatment (possibly due to unmasking of existing tumours) but in the longer term a similar risk to that of methotrexate and DMARDs. The overall risk with all treatments was slightly but significantly increased compared with the general population (relative risk 1.14).