This March 2016 Cell Reports article, “Sildenafil Potentiates a cGMP-Dependent Pathway to Promote Melanoma Growth”, presents the latest medical research results about the link between melanoma skin cancer and Viagra (sildenafil).
One of the most significant take-away points from this new medical article about the increased risk of melanoma associated with Viagra is that this skin cancer side effect most likely applies to Cialis (tadalafil) and Levitra (vardenafil), also.
In more detail, from the Discussion section of this most recent article, we get this excerpt:
Our data together with the findings of Arozarena et al. (2011)) raise concerns that the use of sildenafil (Viagra) or other PDE5 inhibitors like vardenafil (Levitra) or tadalafil (Cialis) could promote melanoma in humans. These drugs are the first-line therapy for most men with erectile dysfunction. Indeed, a recent long-term cohort study that included 14,912 men in the United States indicated that men who used [Viagra (sildenafil)] for erectile dysfunction had a significantly elevated risk of melanoma (Li et al., 2014). The link between [Viagra (sildenafil)] and melanoma development is further supported by the finding that PDE5 inhibitors promote melanin synthesis (Zhang et al., 2012), which may exacerbate melanoma development (Noonan et al., 2012). PDE5 inhibitors are also used for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension, and there is a tremendous growth of preclinical and clinical studies exploring new applications of PDE5 inhibitors, such as the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and even cancer (Das et al., 2015, Ghofrani et al., 2006, Shi et al., 2011).
Two other brand name ED drugs that are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are Staxyn (vardenafil) and Stendra (avanafil) are probably associated with an increased risk of melanoma skin cancer, too.
To expand upon two points mentioned in the Cell Reports article excerpt above:
- Cialis (tadalafil) is also prescribed sometimes when doctors see the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- Two other phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors, Revatio (sildenafil) and Adcirca (tadalafil), are prescribed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Returning to this most recent Viagra – melanoma medical article, here is the authors’ conclusion:
Taken together, this study has uncovered a previously unknown cGMP-cGKI signaling cascade in murine and human melanoma cells. Activation of this pathway promotes tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. This pathway also provides a mechanism for the reported pro-melanoma effects of [Viagra (sildenafil)] and it could be an interesting therapeutic target in melanoma.
We will continue to watch for developments concerning the apparent link between Viagra and melanoma skin cancer, which seems to be a side effect of Cialis, Levitra, Staxyn, Stendra, Revatio, and Adcirca, too.
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