The chronic use of multiple photosensitizing drugs is associated with Breslow thickness in female melanoma patients: A bicentric retrospective study

Abstract

Pharmacopoeia encompasses a wide spectrum of molecules known to have a photosensitizing effect.1 Both experimental and epidemiologic studies suggest that photosensitizing drugs, especially antihypertensive agents, may influence the incidence of skin cancer.2,3 The objective of our study was to investigate a possible association between the intake of photosensitizing drugs and Breslow thickness (BT) among melanoma patients. The study was retrospectively performed at inpatient wards of melanoma units from 2 different hospitals: IDI-IRCCS in Rome and University Hospital Sant’Orsola-Malpighi in Bologna, Italy.