Does Skyrizi cause cancer?
Skyrizi has no warnings or precautions for malignancy (cancer, tumors) in its product label and cancer is not listed as a serious or common side effect.
Very few cases of cancer were reported in plaque psoriasis clinical trials and may not have been treatment-related. Psoriasis itself can be linked with an increased risk of cancer.
- In the Phase 3 studies of up to 52-weeks (UltIMMa-1, UltIMMa-2), 997 participants received Skyrizi (risankizumab) treatment at Weeks 0, 4, and every 12 weeks thereafter.
- Non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma) was reported in 4 patients receiving Skyrizi and one patient in the placebo group. Across all studies, 38% of subjects had received prior phototherapy. Phototherapy has been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
- In the UltIMMa-2 study, one patient had a report of breast cancer.
Long-term pooled studies up to 9 years in 3,658 patients being treated with Skyrizi for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (doses ranging from 18 mg to 180 mg) have shown low occurrence rates of non-melanoma skin cancer development (0.6 per 100 person years).
Overall long-term adverse events rates in psoriasis have remained consistent up to approximately 9 years of exposure.
Do patients with psoriasis get cancer more often?
A large review published in JAMA Dermatology looked at over 58 studies from 2018 to 2019. Researchers found that psoriasis itself can be linked with an increased risk of many types of cancer, such as colon, kidney, throat (laryngeal), esophageal, liver, oral, pancreatic and blood cancers like lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
- The exact reasons why people with psoriasis have a greater risk for cancer is not known, but it may be related to chronic inflammation and the immune response.
- Lifestyles found in some patients with psoriasis, such as tobacco and alcohol use and metabolic syndrome may be linked with a higher risk for cancer.
- Phototherapy (light therapy) is also known to increase the risk of developing skin cancers in patients with psoriasis.
- More research is needed to fully pinpoint the link between cancer and psoriasis.
Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) is used for the treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults who may benefit from taking injections or pills (systemic therapy) or treatment using ultraviolet or UV light (phototherapy). It is also approved to treat active psoriatic arthritis and moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis in adults.
Skyrizi works by blocking interleukin-23 (IL-23) and lowering the inflammatory response in these autoimmune disorders.
Related questions
- What does psoriasis look like?
- How do you get psoriasis and is it contagious?
- How does Tremfya work to treat plaque and psoriatic arthritis?
Which side effects do occur?
Side effects can vary based on why you are receiving Skyrizi. In studies in patients with plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the most common side effects were:
- upper respiratory infections
- headache
- fatigue
- injection site reactions
- tinea (fungal) infections.
In Crohn's disease, common side effects include upper respiratory infections, headache, arthralgia (joint pain, injection site reactions, abdominal (stomach area) pain, anemia (low red blood cells), pyrexia (fever), back pain, arthropathy (joint disease), and urinary tract infection.
In ulcerative colitis, the most frequent side effects in studies included arthralgia (joint pain), pyrexia (fever), injection site reactions, and rash.
Related: Skyrizi side effects (in more detail)
This is not all the information you need to know about Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your healthcare provider's directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Gordon KB, Strober B, Lebwohl M, et al. Efficacy and safety of risankizumab in moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (UltIMMa-1 and UltIMMa-2): results from two double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled and ustekinumab-controlled phase 3 trials. Lancet. 2018 Aug 25;392(10148):650-661. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31713-6.
- Ranaweera A, Oakley A. Key clinical-trial evidence for risankizumab. DermNet NZ. August 2019. Accessed June 19, 2024 at https://dermnetnz.org/topics/key-clinical-trial-evidence-for-risankizumab/
- Trafford AM, Parisi R, Kontopantelis E, et al. Association of Psoriasis With the Risk of Developing or Dying of Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2019;155(12):1390–1403. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.3056
- Wu D. Psoriasis and cancer: What’s the link? Harvard Health. Dec. 5, 2019. Accessed June 19, 2024 at https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/psoriasis-and-cancer-whats-the-link-2019120518320
- Skyrizi (risankizumab-rzaa) [prescribing information]. 6/2024. North Chicago, Ill. AbbVie Inc. Accessed June 19, 2024 at https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/skyrizi_pi.pdf
- Skyrizi.com. AbbVie. Accessed June 19, 2024 at https://www.skyrizihcp.com/clinical-safety
- Long-term data (for Ps and PsA). Akyrizi. AbbVie. Accessed June 19, 2024 at https://www.skyrizihcp.com/dermatology/pso-psa-safety-profile#week-52-data
Read next
Related medical questions
- What are the new drugs for plaque psoriasis?
- Why should I take folic acid with methotrexate?
- Is triamcinolone acetonide an antifungal cream?
- How do you use clobetasol propionate on your scalp?
- Clobetasol vs. triamcinolone - how do they compare?
- What is a substitute for fluocinonide cream?
- How long does methotrexate stay in your system?
- Halobetasol vs. clobetasol - How do they compare?
- Does taking vitamin D help with psoriasis?
- What causes Plaque Psoriasis?
- Sotyktu vs Otezla: How do they compare?
- Can clobetasol be used for toenail fungus?
- How does Taltz compare to Cosentyx for psoriatic arthritis?
- How long does it take for Skyrizi to work?
- How long does it take for Otezla to work?
- Is fluocinonide an antifungal cream?
- How long should you use fluocinonide for?
- How long does clobetasol stay in your system?
- How do you inject Humira?
- Does Feverfew interact with any drugs?
- What are 6 key Taltz side effects to watch out for?
- Cosentyx vs Humira: How do they compare?
- What's the dosing schedule for Skyrizi?
- Who is the actress in the Stelara commercial?
- What happens if Cosentyx is not refrigerated?
- Can Enstilar be used on the scalp?
- What does Otezla do to the body?
- What is fluocinonide cream good for?
- How long does it take for Sotyktu to work?
- What is the mechanism of action of infliximab?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Psoriasis (101 questions, 306 members)
- Skyrizi (17 questions, 6 members)
- Risankizumab (8 questions, 3 members)
- Psoriatic Arthritis (83 questions, 276 members)
- Plaque Psoriasis (85 questions, 69 members)
- Ulcerative Colitis (64 questions, 186 members)
- Cancer (173 questions, 639 members)