In a new, large, population-based study, the antidiabetic thiazolidinedione pioglitazone was associated with a 63% increased risk of bladder cancer in as many as 14.5 years of follow-up, and, moreover, the risk increased with longer treatment and higher doses. In contrast, the thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone did not have this effect, which suggests that the risk of bladder cancer is specific for pioglitazone and is not a drug class effect, doctor from a University in Montreal; Quebec and colleagues report in an article published online 2016.
Since the PROactive randomized controlled trial unexpectedly showed an imbalance in the number of cases of bladder cancer with pioglitazone compared with placebo, the link between pioglitazone and this outcome has been controversial, senior author of a University explained. Studies have shown an increased risk at 5 years and a "surprising" lack of…
