From the Research
Hydroxychloroquine is not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, as evidenced by recent studies that have not demonstrated a causal relationship between the medication and lung cancer development. The primary concerns with hydroxychloroquine use relate to retinal toxicity with long-term use, cardiac conduction abnormalities at high doses, and occasional gastrointestinal or dermatological reactions 1.
Key Points to Consider
- Hydroxychloroquine has been studied in various contexts, including its use in combination with chemotherapy for lung cancer, without showing an increased risk of lung cancer development 2, 3, 4.
- A nationwide population-based cohort study found no difference in the overall incidence of cancer between hydroxychloroquine users and nonusers 1.
- The medication's benefit-risk profile does not include lung cancer as a recognized risk, and patients taking hydroxychloroquine typically require monitoring for retinal changes and other known side effects, but not specifically for lung cancer screening 5.
Clinical Implications
- Patients taking hydroxychloroquine should be monitored for known side effects, but lung cancer screening beyond what is recommended for the general population is not indicated specifically due to hydroxychloroquine use.
- If you have specific concerns about cancer risk factors, these should be discussed with your healthcare provider in the context of your complete medical history.
- The most recent and highest quality studies, such as the 2021 review on hydroxychloroquine's role in coronavirus disease 2019 5 and the 2018 study on hydroxychloroquine's effect on cancer risk in patients with autoimmune diseases 1, support the conclusion that hydroxychloroquine is not associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.