Question
Do you think there is a greater risk of getting skin cancer if on the drug Humira? I have been on Enbrel, Remicade and now Humira for the last two years and I have had 6 skin cancers, 5 Basal Cell and 1 Squamous, and today found out that I have 2 more probable skin cancers. All of these cancers in the last 2 years.
Answer
Your question is somewhat difficult to answer as many published studies do not report the incidence of skin cancers other than malignant melanomas. Since skin cancers are frequent and usually taken care of in dermatologists offices, they are not reported in post marketing surveys of adverse events. Many patients as well do not think it significant enough to mention to their rheumatologist. A recent study published in the Journal of the Americian Medical Association (JAMA) did report a slightly higher incidence of skin cancers in patients taking Remicade and Humira (Enbrel patients were not analyzed in the study).
