A meta-analysis published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology evaluated the association between chronic plaque psoriasis and lymphohematologic malignancies (LHMs).

Twenty-five observational studies were included, comprising 2,501,652 patients. The investigators reported a significantly increased risk for LHMs among patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis compared to the general population (hazard ratio [HR]=1.55). Specifically, there were increased risks identified for Hodgkin lymphoma (HR=1.71), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR=1.27), multiple myeloma (HR=1.32), and leukemia (HR=1.28). The researchers also noted a markedly augmented risk of cutaneous T cell lymphoma among patients with psoriasis (HR=6.22).

In conclusion, the authors wrote, “The increased risk of LHMs, particularly cutaneous T cell lymphoma, in patients with psoriasis could be related to exposure to systemic immunosuppressive therapies, comorbidities, and sustained immune activation, particularly in the skin.”

Via: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(21)02212-X/fulltext