Previous studies have shown that the same antihistamines have survival benefits in breast cancer. Now we see the same thing concerning malignant melanoma. However, more research is required to confirm the results,” emphasises Professor Håkan Olsson. He is one of the researchers behind the study, which was recently published in the research journal, Allergy.

We observed improved survival among those who used desloratadine and to a certain extent also loratadine, particularly in the age group 65 and older, when we compared with those who had not used antihistamines. The use of the other antihistamines showed no significant survival effect. The use of desloratadine and loratadine also seemed to reduce the risk of getting a new malignant melanoma,” says Håkan Olsson.

The finding is very exciting especially as these medications have virtually no side effects. However, (there is always a but), further studies are needed to confirm and explain these results.

We are collaborating with researchers in Barcelona and Stockholm. In Lund, we are underway with studies in both animal and human subjects, in which doses of antihistamines will be compared with the patients who do not take antihistamines, in order to measure the treatment effect,” concludes Håkan Olsson.

Article Citation

Ildikó Fritz, et al. Desloratadine and loratadine use associated with improved melanoma survival. Allergy, 2020; DOI: 10.1111/all.14273