Role of hypertension drugs in colorectal cancer treatment

According to a new study, medications commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure may also reduce patients' colorectal cancer risk. Read on to know more.

By: Jahnavi Sarma | | Published: July 7, 2020 3:20 pm

Tags: Cancer Treatment colorectal cancer problem

Researchers say that this study provides new insights on a potential role of BP medications for colorectal cancer prevention. @Shutterstock

Colorectal cancer affects the colon and the rectum. It is a common form of cancer and, according to the American Cancer Society, around 1 in 21 men and 1 in 23 women in the United States will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. In India too, the incidence of colorectal cancer is growing. One reason for this may be an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. Experts also say that obesity may be a major risk factor. Treatment for this type of cancer depends on many factors, including the size, location, and stage of the cancer. Treatment options are usually chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Also Read - Cancer patients more likely to get severe COVID-19: Tips to prevent the viral infection

But now researchers from the University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong say that medications commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure may also reduce patients’ colorectal cancer risk. 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, the researchers said. Also Read - Cancer treatment breakthrough: DGLA fatty acid can kill malignant cells

High BP pills can reduce colorectal cancer risk

Doctors commonly prescribe these medications to people with high blood pressure to relax and open blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. The current study, published in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal, revealed that taking these medications may also reduce colorectal cancer risk. Researchers say that this study provides new insights on a potential role of these medications for colorectal cancer prevention. According to them, 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. Also Read - Two aspirins a day can reduce cancer risk in persons with Lynch syndrome: Study

Risk goes down by almost 22 per cent

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. For the present 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. They saw that those who took hypertension medications such as ACE-i or ARBs had a 22 per cent lower risk of developing colorectal cancer in the subsequent three years.

Benefits more in people above 55 years of age

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 were limited to the first three years after the negative baseline colonoscopy. Researchers say that 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.

A word of caution

However, researchers said that the results of this study must be verified with a prospective randomised controlled study. This, they say, will actively follow patients to determine the potential benefits of these medications on colorectal cancer risk.

(With inputs from IANS)

Published : July 7, 2020 3:20 pm

Read Disclaimer