Skin Cancer Risk Is Higher in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Adults with atopic dermatitis may have a higher risk of developing skin cancer compared with individuals without atopic dermatitis, according to study results presented at the 2023 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), held from March 17 to 21, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The retrospective cohort study evaluated a nationwide commercial claims database to compare the incidence of melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) among insured adult patients with and without atopic dermatitis from 2007 to 2021. The comparative analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, history of smoking and sun exposure, ultraviolet phototherapy, and exposure to ionizing radiation.

Study researchers followed 60 million adult patients with and without atopic dermatitis. The analyses found that patients with atopic dermatitis had a significantly higher risk of developing melanoma (risk ratio [RR], 1.23; P <.001), SCC (RR, 1.27; P <.001), and BCC (RR, 1.28; P <.001) compared with adults without atopic dermatitis.

When stratified according to severity, patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis had a significantly higher risk of developing melanoma (RR, 1.11; P <.001), SCC (RR, 1.25; P <.001), and BCC (RR, 1.17; P <.001) compared with adults with mild atopic dermatitis.

According to the researchers, the loss-of-function mutation in the filaggrin gene may contribute to the increased risk. However, more mechanistic studies are required to better understand atopic dermatitis and its association with skin cancers.

“These findings [must be] taken into account when considering skin cancer surveillance for [atopic dermatitis] patients,” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Some of the study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures.