Golimumab and malignancies: true or false association?

Med Oncol. 2011 Jun;28(2):641-8. doi: 10.1007/s12032-010-9490-7. Epub 2010 Apr 7.

Abstract

Malignancy is one of the comorbidities linked to golimumab, a biological TNF-α blocker. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched different databases and analyzed original publications to elucidate the remaining open question about the real association of malignancies with golimumab therapy. The most frequent cancer in patients treated with golimumab, in association or not with methotrexate, is the lung adenocarcinoma. However, lymphoma is not very commonly represented in these patients. We show that there is no major and evident risk of malignancies associated with golimumab in current scientific literature. An increased risk of malignancies may be associated with golimumab, but this warrants further clinical confirmation. Also, this risk mentioned in different studies must be taken with caution because of number of limits and biases.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • golimumab
  • Methotrexate