-transparent.png){kind=logo}
Calcium channel blockers can block calcium signals that trigger cell differentiation and apoptosis, which are important mechanisms of cancer growth regulation. To ascertain whether calcium channel blocker use was associated with an increased risk of cancer, 750 hypertensive persons age > or = 71 years, with no history of cancer at baseline, were followed from 1988 through 1992. The patients were using either beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or calcium channel blockers (verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem; mainly of the short-acting variety). Compared to beta-blockers (n = 424, 28 events), after adjusting for age, gender, race, smoking, body mass index, and number of hospital admissions not related with cancer, the relative risks of cancer (95% confidence interval) for angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (n = 124, 6 events) and calcium channel blockers (n = 202, 27 events) were 0.73 (0.30 to 1.78) and 2.02 (1.16 to 3.54), respectively. These findings indicate that calcium channel blocker therapy might increase the risk of cancer. New data are needed in patients using modern calcium channel blocker agents with more gradual absorption. This report should encourage further study of cancer outcomes in elderly patients who are vulnerable to cancer and who are receiving calcium channel blockers.
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
November 2013,
Nature reviews. Cardiology,
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
November 1998,
The Johns Hopkins medical letter health after 50,
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
May 1997,
Lancet (London, England),
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
June 1997,
Lancet (London, England),
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
February 1997,
Lancet (London, England),
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
April 1998,
JAMA,
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
November 1998,
Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien,
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
January 2003,
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990),
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
May 1997,
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979),
M Pahor, and
J M Guralnik, and
M E Salive, and
M C Corti, and
P Carbonin, and
R J Havlik
December 1997,
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979),
