Clinical Context For Cancer Risk Of Immunosuppressive Agents Used In Dermatology

Dermatologic care of inflammatory skin conditions has been transformed over recent decades through the use of small molecules disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and targeted biologic therapies. Alongside the tremendous benefit of these agents, concerns remain regarding possible side effects, particularly cancer risk. To improve guidance and counseling of patients with skin diseases who are considering treatment with such agents, this article reviews available information on the risk of malignancies in patients treated with these agents. When possible, this article adds clinical context to risk through a number needed to harm that estimates the number of patients a provider would need to treat with a given agent in 1 year to cause a single adverse outcome over time.