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Does Imuran reduce your colon cancer risk (like 5-ASA's)?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/25/2014 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
At my most recent GI visit the doc said I can stop taking Apriso because the Imuran has started working.  I remember reading that 5-asa's might reduce your colon cancer risk and I mentioned this to him and asked about continuing to take Apriso for that reason.  He said that some studies show that Imuran does the same thing and said it was up to me if I wanted to continue to take Apriso or not.    

Has anyone else heard this before?  Would love to hear who stopped taking 5-ASA's once the immunosuppressant or biologic kicked in.          

 

Posted 3/25/2014 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've never heard that Imuran protected from any cancers. In fact, do be sure to protect your skin from the sun because it's associated with a much higher risk of skin cancer.
Posted 3/25/2014 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran is an anti-rejection drug, which helps auto-immune diseases such as UC and to my knowledge does not reduce cancer risk. It does not work by directly reducing inflammation.

5-ASA's reduce cancer risk by reducing inflammation (which cases increased cancer risks).
Posted 3/25/2014 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran increases cancer risk for the most part. about the only argument you could make is that rectal inflammation increases colon cancer risk and if Imuran works at controlling the inflammation in your colon, then that could decrease your colon cancer risk. That's actually not a horrible argument but it is a little different context than what the doctor suggested.
Posted 3/25/2014 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have not looked for a specific study on Imuran reducing cancer risk but I think it is assumed that any drug that reduces visible inflammation reduces the cancer risk. The interesting thing about the one 5ASA study was it was found that cancer risk was reduced even in people with no improvement in endoscopic scores...ie that got no reduction in inflammation.


Cancer risk is dictated by severity, extent and duration. Having pancolitis dramatically increases risk and the more time you have inflammation the higher that risk is. I don't think I will ever stop 5asas as long as I can afford them and I have distal disease. Pancolitis? No way I would stop. They may even help keep the Imuran working and keep you off something worse like pred. I am really cautious about drugs but 5ASAs have a lot of safety evidence and have been in use for a long time especially if you include sulfasalazine.
Posted 3/26/2014 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
I started taking Imuran for that very reason...to reduce my risk of colon cancer. I already had dysplasia after flaring for a year. I was on max dose of Asacol, had allergic reactions to enemas and trying diet modifications like crazy and nothing helped. My Mom had just passed away from colon cancer, ironically. My GI told me if I wanted to lower my colon cancer risk to start the Imuran...so I did. Although, my GI gave me the increased risk of lymphoma talk. He had me continue mesalamines...I had switched at one point to Lialda.

I think AZ is right...anything that reduces inflammation is going to lessen the chance of cells changing and abnormally developing.
Posted 3/28/2014 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your thoughtful replies! 
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