Protective Association Between Calcium Channel Blocker Use and Breast Cancer Recurrence in Postsurgical Women: A Population‐Based Case‐Control Study in Taiwan

Abstract

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy induces metastasis of residual breast cancers through activation of tumor-associated macrophages. Previous studies have indicated that calcium channel blockers (CCBs) exert anti-inflammatory and antimigratory effects on macrophages via attenuating Ca 2+ entry into macrophages. However, no existing empirical research has addressed the relationship between previous CCB use and breast cancer recurrence. In this study, 4840 Taiwanese women aged ࣙ20 years with breast cancer who underwent breast surgery from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2015, were enrolled. The date of cancer recurrence was defined as the index date. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the relationship between previous CCB exposure and cancer recurrence among female patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and tumor-node-metastasis stage, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for CCB exposure within 5 years before the index date in women with recurrence compared with nonrecurrent controls was 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.97). Further analysis revealed that the adjusted OR for CCB exposure between the surgery and index dates in women with recurrence relative to nonrecurrent controls was 0.72 (95%CI, 0.66-0.95). In particular, prior CCB use was significantly associated with a lower risk (34%) of breast cancer recurrence among women 20 to 54 years old (OR, 0.66; 95%CI, 0.47-0.83). This study uncovered a protective association between previous CCB use and breast cancer recurrence.

Calcium channel blockers are associated with lower gastric cancer risk: A territory‐wide study with propensity score analysis

“…A few studies showed that CCBs were associated with a better survival for various cancers, including GC 23,43,44 . However, to our knowledge, this is the first report on the potential chemopreventive effect of CCBs on GC using a well‐defined cohort of H pylori ‐eradicated subjects.…”

“…42 A few studies showed that CCBs were associated with a better survival for various cancers, including GC. 23,43,44 However, to our knowledge, this is the first report on the potential chemopreventive effect of CCBs on GC using a well-defined cohort of H pylorieradicated subjects. Apart from the heterogeneity in definition of drug exposure, comparators and study design, all prior studies failed to adjust for important confounding factors that affect the causal interpretation.…”

TRPM7 Ion Channel: Oncogenic Roles and Therapeutic Potential in Breast Cancer

“…Certainly, Li et al demonstrated repeatedly that in patients treated for hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases, with calcium channel blockers (CCB), this would increase the risk, by up to two times, of developing breast cancer but also following a dose long term, which is supported by other studies [ 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Conversely, more recent studies do not suggest any increased risk of developing breast cancer with long-term or punctual CCB intake, nor is it associated with greater mortality [ 16 , 17 ] and would protect against a risk of recurrence in women aged 20 to 54 [ 18 ]. Nevertheless, the use of CCB in breast cancer patients could be associated with the development of lymphedema as well as immunosuppressive effects within the tumor microenvironment [ 19 , 20 ], thus justifying the importance of calcium in breast cancer.…”