Propranolol Use and Risk of Primary Melanoma: A Single Institution Retrospective Study

Conference Year

January 2019

Abstract

The primary aims of our study were to identify the effects of propranolol on the rate of primary melanoma diagnoses compared to 14 control medications. We performed a single institution retrospective chart review at the University of Vermont Medical Center of 67,840 patients to determine the number of primary melanoma diagnoses within 5 years of initiating propranolol or the control medications of nadolol, metoprolol, labetolol, carvedilol, atenolol, timolol, pindolol, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, losartan, sertraline, levetiracetam, levothyroxine, and rosuvastatin. Propranolol did not perform significantly differently in the prevention of new onset melanoma compared to any of the control medications. Additionally, there was no significant difference in melanoma outcomes when selective (metoprolol, atenolol) vs. nonselective (propranolol, nadolol, labetolol, carvedilol, timolol, pindolol) beta blockers were compared. Demographic factors associated with increased melanoma incidence were age, non-private insurance, rural status, and having a marital partner. Despite this study's limitation of retrospective design, these findings suggests that propranolol may not have the same preventative effect on new onset melanoma as it has been shown to have on recurrent melanoma. Prospective randomized controlled studies may further support this conclusion.

Primary Faculty Mentor Name

Melanie Bui, MD, PhD

Faculty/Staff Collaborators

Maxwell Knapp (Graduate Student)

Status

Medical Students

Student College

Larner College of Medicine

Program/Major

Health Sciences

Primary Research Category

Health Sciences

Abstract only.

Share

COinS
 

Propranolol Use and Risk of Primary Melanoma: A Single Institution Retrospective Study

The primary aims of our study were to identify the effects of propranolol on the rate of primary melanoma diagnoses compared to 14 control medications. We performed a single institution retrospective chart review at the University of Vermont Medical Center of 67,840 patients to determine the number of primary melanoma diagnoses within 5 years of initiating propranolol or the control medications of nadolol, metoprolol, labetolol, carvedilol, atenolol, timolol, pindolol, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, losartan, sertraline, levetiracetam, levothyroxine, and rosuvastatin. Propranolol did not perform significantly differently in the prevention of new onset melanoma compared to any of the control medications. Additionally, there was no significant difference in melanoma outcomes when selective (metoprolol, atenolol) vs. nonselective (propranolol, nadolol, labetolol, carvedilol, timolol, pindolol) beta blockers were compared. Demographic factors associated with increased melanoma incidence were age, non-private insurance, rural status, and having a marital partner. Despite this study's limitation of retrospective design, these findings suggests that propranolol may not have the same preventative effect on new onset melanoma as it has been shown to have on recurrent melanoma. Prospective randomized controlled studies may further support this conclusion.