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                      Widely Used Drug Azathioprine Linked To Skin Cancer

                      Published by Life Extension

                      Backside of white woman back pain and ache concept

                      A study has linked the drug azathioprine, commonly used for a variety of conditions, with skin cancer development.

                      The drug, which sold under the brand names Imuran and Azasan, is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis and vasculitis, and prevent organ rejection in transplant patients. Researchers identified it as “strong case for an association” to the mutational signature found in cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

                      Researchers at the University of Dundee, Queen Mary University of London and the Wellcome Sanger Institutepublished their findings Monday in the journal Nature Communications on the drug, which is sold under the brand names Imuran and Azasan.

                      In a mutational signature analysis of cSCC tumors, they found a new mutational signature, Signature 32, was correlated to the use of azathioprine. By identiftying the molecular landscape of cSCC, researchers believe potential treatments can be developed.

                      Researchers analyzed 40 tumor samples from 37 patients, including 29 organ transplant recipients treated with immunosuppressive drugs, as well as one immunosuppressed for Crohn’s disease.

                      “Although patient numbers were small and these findings should be verified in a larger independent cohort, this molecular study provides a strong case for an association between this novel mutational signature and long-term azathioprine use,” Dr. Gareth Inman, part of the research team at Dundee and now at the Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute and the University of Glasgow, said in a press release.

                      Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among 100,000 people, 22 new melanomas of the skin cases were reported and two died from the cancer.

                      Azathioprine previously had been identified to increased photosensitivity to UVA light — a link to skin cancer. The new study further implicated the drug.

                      “We recommend all physicians give appropriate advice on UVA avoidance including year-round sun protection for their patients on azathioprine,” Dr. Charlotte Proby, professor of dermatology in the School of Medicine at Dundee, said. “As with all medications the risks must be balanced against the benefits, particularly with the need to treat potentially life-threatening diseases with an effective drug.”

                      She recommended appropriate sun protection, skin surveillance, early diagnosis and lesion removal for patients on azathioprine.

                      “It’s important to protect your skin from the sun when it’s strong, especially if you burn easily or are taking medications which make you more sun-sensitive,” said Dr. Sophia Lowes, a researcher at Cancer Research UK. “The most effective protection is to spend time in the shade and cover up with a hat, long-sleeved top and sunglasses. For the bits you can’t cover, use sunscreen with at least 4 stars and SPF 15 or higher for protection against both UVA and UVB rays.”

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                      Life Extension
                      Life Extension
                      LIFE EXTENSION The Life Extension Health News team delivers accurate information about vitamins, nutrition and aging. Our stories rely on multiple, authoritative sources and experts. We keep our content accurate and trustworthy, by submitting it to a medical reviewer. Life Extensionists are people who believe in taking advantage of documented scientific therapies to help maintain optimal health and slow aging. The medical literature contains thousands of references on the use of antioxidant vitamins, weight loss supplements, and hormones that have been shown to improve the quality and quantity of life. Life Extensionists attempt to take advantage of this scientific information to enhance their changes of living longer in good health. This article is posted by permission of Life Extension. https://www.lifeextension.com/

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                      This website is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. FoodTrients – A Recipe for Aging Beautifully Grace O, author and creator of FoodTrients® -- a philosophy, a cookbook and a resource -- has a new cookbook dedicated to age-defying and delicious recipes, The Age Beautifully Cookbook: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World, which provides one hundred-plus recipes that promote health and well-being. The recipes are built on foundations of modern scientific research and ancient knowledge of medicinal herbs and natural ingredients from around the world. Since the publication of her first anti-aging book, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, Grace O has identified eight categories of FoodTrients benefits (Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Immune Booster, Disease Prevention, Beauty, Strength, Mind, and Weight Loss) that are essential to fighting aging, which show how specific foods, herbs, and spices in the recipes help keep skin looking younger, prevent the diseases of aging, and increase energy and vitality. Grace O combines more exotic ingredients that add age-fighting benefits to familiar recipe favorites.

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