Use of dipyridamole is associated with lower risk of lymphoid neoplasms: a propensity score-matched cohort study

The anti-cancer potential of dipyridamole has been suggested from experiments, but evidence from population-based studies is still lacking. We aimed to explore if dipyridamole use was related to a lower risk of lymphoid neoplasms. We identified individuals with prescription of aspirin after diagnosis of ischaemic cerebrovascular disease since 2006 by linking several Swedish registers. In these aspirin users, those with dipyridamole prescription were further identified as the study group and patients without dipyridamole were randomly selected as reference group with 1:1 ratio using a propensity score-matching approach. After a median of 6 center dot 67 years of follow-up, a total of 46 patients with dipyridamole use developed lymphoid neoplasms with an incidence rate of 0 center dot 49 per 1 000 person-years, while the rate in the matched group was 0 center dot 74 per 1 000 person-years. As compared to non-users, dipyridamole users were associated with a significantly decreased risk of lymphoid neoplasms [hazard ratio (HR) = 0 center dot 65; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0 center dot 43-0 center dot 98]. Specifically, the reduced risk was observed for non-Hodgkin lymphomas (HR = 0 center dot 64; 95% CI = 0 center dot 42-0 center dot 94), especially B-cell lymphomas (HR = 0 center dot 56; 95% CI = 0 center dot 35-0 center dot 88). Dipyridamole use was related to a lower risk of lymphoid neoplasms, indicating a clinical potential of dipyridamole to be an adjunct anti-tumour agent against lymphoid neoplasms.

Automated summary

The study found that compared with non-users, dipyridamole users have a significantly decreased risk of lymphoid neoplasms, especially for non-Hodgkin lymphomas, particularly B-cell lymphomas.