CPAP therapy doesn't cut cancer risk in sleep apnea patients, study finds
A meta-analysis of three major clinical trials found no significant reduction in cancer incidence among obstructive sleep apnea patients treated with CPAP machines, despite earlier biological theories suggesting the therapy could lower cancer rates. The finding challenges assumptions about sleep apnea's cancer link and may reshape clinical messaging and device market positioning.
Originaltitel: CPAP to Reduce the Risk of Cancer in OSA?—A Meta-Analysis of 3 RCTs
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been hypothesised to promote cancer via intermittent hypoxia, and assessing what happens when OSA is controlled by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may provide valuable insight. We conducted a meta-analysis of three randomised controlled trials (SAVE, RICCADSA, ISAACC) assessing cancer incidence from adverse event data on neoplasms among OSA patients randomised to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) versus control. Across trials, cancer incidence was similar between groups, and meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference (CI 0.55–1.68). Treating sleep apnea with CPAP does not appear to markedly reduce the risk of incident cancers.