Association between antidepressant use and gynecological cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The potential carcinogenic effects of antidepressants (ADs) have been debated, with some preclinical studies suggesting associations with tumor promotion. However, clinical evidence regarding their impact on the risk of gynecological cancers remains limited and inconclusive, necessitating f...

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Published in:European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Vol. 81; no. 8; pp. 1141 - 1155
Main Authors: de Moraes, Francisco Cezar Aquino, de Souza Wagner, Pedro Henrique, de Carvalho, Luana Izabela Azevedo, Burbano, Rommel Mario Rodríguez
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Springer Nature Aug2025
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Aug2025
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      pub: Springer Nature
      place: New York, New York
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        10.1007/s00228-025-03853-3
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        atl: Association between antidepressant use and gynecological cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
      aug:
        au:
          de Moraes, Francisco Cezar Aquino
          de Souza Wagner, Pedro Henrique
          de Carvalho, Luana Izabela Azevedo
          Burbano, Rommel Mario Rodríguez
        affil: https://ror.org/03q9sr818 Federal University of Pará, 66073-005, Belém, Pará, Brazil
      sug:
        subj:
          Genital Neoplasms, Female Risk Factors
          Antidepressive Agents Adverse Effects
          Risk Assessment
          Human
          Systematic Review
          Meta Analysis
          Descriptive Statistics
          Data Analysis Software
          PubMed
          Embase
          Confidence Intervals
          Odds Ratio
      ab: Purpose: The potential carcinogenic effects of antidepressants (ADs) have been debated, with some preclinical studies suggesting associations with tumor promotion. However, clinical evidence regarding their impact on the risk of gynecological cancers remains limited and inconclusive, necessitating further investigation. Therefore we conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies examining the correlation between AD use and the risk of gynecological cancers. Methods: The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I-squared and Tau-squared statistics. Statistical analyses were performed using R software (version 4.4.1), with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Results: Our meta-analysis included 10 case–control studies, with a total of 965,834 participants, of whom 45,998 were AD users. The findings revealed a significant association between AD use and a reduced overall risk of gynecological cancers (OR = 0.9518; 95% CI: 0.9206 to 0.9841; P = 0.004; I2 = 19%). Subgroup analyses demonstrated a decreased risk for ovarian cancer (OR = 0.9316; 95% CI: 0.9105 to 0.9531; P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) and endometrial cancer (OR = 0.9264; 95% CI: 0.8683 to 0.9927; P = 0.030; I2 = 19%). Additionally, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were associated with a lower risk compared to non-AD users (OR = 0.9216; 95% CI: 0.8855 to 0.9591; P < 0.001; I2 = 18.2%), as well as for ovarian cancer (OR = 0.9377; 95% CI: 0.8991 to 0.9780; P = 0.003; I2 = 16%) and endometrial cancer (OR = 0.9078; 95% CI: 0.8251 to 0.9989; P = 0.047; I2 = 35%). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis indicates that AD use may serve as a protective factor against the development of gynecological cancers. However, potential biases and confounders should be considered, highlighting the need for balanced prescribing, taking into account the potential side effects of each AD and its suitability for individual patients.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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