Viagra and Melanoma

[JesusA (imported)]

An article published yesterday by the Journal of the American Medical Association points to a significantly increased risk of melanoma among men who use Viagra. This is the result of the action of Viagra on a metabolic pathway that then increases the risk of skin cancer.

From the Discussion section of the article:

"In this prospective study, men who used sildenafil for ED had a statistically significantly elevated risk of melanoma. The association remained in the models controlling for the major host characteristics, family history of melanoma, sun exposure behavior, and UV index in the state of residence."

Most of the article is in advanced Medical, a specialized language for insiders. Beginning of Abstract:

The RAS/RAF/mitogen-activated protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK)/ERK signaling pathway couples signals from cell surface receptors to transcription factors and regulates cell fate downstream of receptor tyrosine kinases, cytokines, and heterotrimetric G-protein-coupled receptors.

Wen-Qing Li, Abrar A. Qureshi, Kathleen C. Robinson, & Jiali Han. (2014). Sildenafil Use and Increased Risk of Incident Melanoma in US Men: A Prospective Cohort Study. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(6):964-970. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2014.594.