Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39825996›Full record

SynthesisClinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico2025

Azathioprine and risk of non-melanoma skin cancers in organ transplant recipients: a systematic review and update meta-analysis.

Michele Kreuz, Jorge Cavalcanti Orestes Cardoso, Luis Eduardo Rodrigues Sobreira, Maria Eduarda Cavalcanti Souza, Lara Eduardo Campos, Francinny Alves Kelly, Francisco Cezar Aquino de Moraes

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical & translational oncology : official publication of the Federation of Spanish Oncology Societies and of the National Cancer Institute of Mexico, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Skin Cancer in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Review.American journal of clinical dermatology · 2026
    Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Michele KreuzLutheran University of Brazil, 133 Montenegro Street, ap 1201, Novo Hamburgo, Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul, 92425-900, Brazil. michelekreuz21@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-8968-8190
Jorge Cavalcanti Orestes CardosoUniversity of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, 50100-130, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0316-8047
Luis Eduardo Rodrigues SobreiraFederal University of Pará, Altamira, Pará, 68371-040, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-3006-5489
Maria Eduarda Cavalcanti SouzaUniversity of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, 50100-130, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7244-6461
Lara Eduardo CamposSchool of Medicine and Surgery of the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, 20271-062, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-5465-6795
Francinny Alves KellyAnhembi University Morumbi, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12235-181, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0706-6929
Francisco Cezar Aquino de MoraesAnhembi University Morumbi, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, 12235-181, Brazil.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0623-8135

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImmunosuppression might increase the risk of skin cancer in organ transplant recipients (OTRs), with azathioprine (AZA), exerting a fundamental role in the carcinogenesis of those tumors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to address the risk of developing malignant skin neoplasms in OTRs undergoing immunosuppression with AZA.

methodsPubMed, Cochrane and Embase were searched for studies with OTRs who have a treatment regimen involving Azathioprine therapy after transplantation and that analyzed the emergence of skin neoplasia. We performed the meta-analysis using RStudio v4.4.2 software.

resultsA total of 17 studies comprising a total of 12,708 patients were included, of whom 3567 (28,06%) had a treatment regimen involving AZA therapy after transplantation. The majority of individuals were male 7298 (56,52%) and the median age of patients ranged from 41.5 to 63.2 years. The overall summary estimate showed a significantly increased risk of all types of skin cancer in relation to AZA exposure (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.07-2.25; p = 0.018; I

conclusionThis study highlights the increased risk of developing skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), in OTRs receiving immunosuppressive therapy with AZA, which allows for rigorous screening and appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Indexed as

AzathioprineCarcinoma, Squamous CellImmunosuppressive AgentsOrgan TransplantationSkin NeoplasmsBasal Cell CarcinomaHumansMaleRisk FactorsTransplant RecipientsAzathioprineImmunosuppressive AgentsAzathioprineCutaneous squamous cell carcinomaOrgan transplant recipientsSkin cancer

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.