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How sildenafil (Viagra®) may cause melanoma: a histopathologic study providing a potential physiological/etiopathological mechanism

How sildenafil (Viagra®) may cause melanoma: a histopathologic study providing a potential... EditorThe potential role of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5‐Is) sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®) and tadalafil (Cialis®) in development of malignant melanoma is controversial. Four observational studies have examined the association of PDE5‐Is) and melanoma. While a conclusion regarding causality is challenging, the biological basis for an association between PDE5‐I exposure and melanoma remains compelling. Melanoma lines expressing the BRAF oncogene downregulate PDE5, leading to vasodilation, invasion and metastasis of melanoma cells. Sildenafil simulates the actions of BRAF, and, in addition to causing vasodilation, has been shown in vivo to enhance tumour growth. We report a close association between markedly dilated vessels and melanoma on histopathology in two patients with long‐standing use of sildenafil, providing evidence to support this association and provide a potential structural/physiological correlation.Fifty sequential melanoma histological specimens were reviewed from the University Hospital Dermatopathology Service in Newark, NJ. Information on PDE5‐I use was obtained retrospectively from chart review. Four cases were identified in which a melanoma was closely associated with markedly dilated thin‐walled vessels. The two cases presented here had a history of weekly Viagra use over a number of years.Case 1: A 46‐year‐old male developed a > 5 mm lesion on his upper back. Biopsy showed http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology Wiley

How sildenafil (Viagra®) may cause melanoma: a histopathologic study providing a potential physiological/etiopathological mechanism

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References (15)

Publisher
Wiley
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
ISSN
0926-9959
eISSN
1468-3083
DOI
10.1111/jdv.14723
Publisher site
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Abstract

EditorThe potential role of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5‐Is) sildenafil (Viagra®), vardenafil (Levitra®) and tadalafil (Cialis®) in development of malignant melanoma is controversial. Four observational studies have examined the association of PDE5‐Is) and melanoma. While a conclusion regarding causality is challenging, the biological basis for an association between PDE5‐I exposure and melanoma remains compelling. Melanoma lines expressing the BRAF oncogene downregulate PDE5, leading to vasodilation, invasion and metastasis of melanoma cells. Sildenafil simulates the actions of BRAF, and, in addition to causing vasodilation, has been shown in vivo to enhance tumour growth. We report a close association between markedly dilated vessels and melanoma on histopathology in two patients with long‐standing use of sildenafil, providing evidence to support this association and provide a potential structural/physiological correlation.Fifty sequential melanoma histological specimens were reviewed from the University Hospital Dermatopathology Service in Newark, NJ. Information on PDE5‐I use was obtained retrospectively from chart review. Four cases were identified in which a melanoma was closely associated with markedly dilated thin‐walled vessels. The two cases presented here had a history of weekly Viagra use over a number of years.Case 1: A 46‐year‐old male developed a > 5 mm lesion on his upper back. Biopsy showed

Journal

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology – Wiley

Published: Jan 1, 2018

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