The Risk for Prostate Cancer With Calcium Channel Blockers: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression

Rotshild et al., 2023 | Ann Pharmacother | Meta Analysis

Citation

Rotshild Victoria, Rabkin Natalie, Matok Ilan. The Risk for Prostate Cancer With Calcium Channel Blockers: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression. Ann Pharmacother. 2023-Jan;57(1):16-28. doi:10.1177/10600280221098121

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For decades, conflicting results were published regarding the increased risk of Prostate cancer (PCa) among calcium channel blocker (CCB) users. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the association between PCa and CCB exposure and assess moderating factors. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for observational and randomized studies published until November 2020 with no language limitations, including data on the risk for PCa in CCB users compared with non-CCB users. We applied a random-effects model meta-analysis to pool results. In addition, we investigated potential moderating factors, such as CCB type, study type, participants' age, and duration of exposure, using meta-regression methods. RESULTS: In our primary analysis, we included 18 studies. A statistically significant 5% increase in the risk for PCa was observed among CCB users (risk ratio [RR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.10), with no significant association between the duration of exposure to CCBs and the risk for PCa (RR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.98-1.19 for exposure for < 5years and RR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.9-1.14 for exposure ≥ 5 years). The association remained statistically significant for the subgroup of dihydropyridines (RR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.05-1.22). In addition, the association was not influenced by participants' age. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: CCBs are an important modality in treating hypertension. The 5% increased risk observed in the current meta-analysis could be influenced by residual confounding factors and should not affect hypertension treatment guidelines until more studies provide additional clinical information.

Key Findings

In our primary analysis, we included 18 studies. A statistically significant 5% increase in the risk for PCa was observed among CCB users (risk ratio [RR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.10), with no significant association between the duration of exposure to CCBs and the risk for PCa (RR = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.98-1.19 for exposure for < 5years and RR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.9-1.14 for exposure ≥ 5 years). The association remained statistically significant for the subgroup of dihydropyridines

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 18
Age Range See abstract
Condition hypertension

MeSH Terms

  • Male
  • Humans
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Dihydropyridines
  • Hypertension
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prostatic Neoplasms

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: calcium

Provenance


Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09