Calcium channel blockers and cancer: is there preclinical evidence for an association?

The preclinical evidence for a potential influence of calcium channel blockers (CCB) on carcinogenesis is discussed in the light of rodent carcinogenicity studies as well as mechanistic data. In the bioassays performed in rats and mice on the dihydropyridine CCB nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine and nitrendipine, no evidence was found for a carcinogenic potential of these compounds. Moreover, the mechanistic knowledge on the influence of CCB on the fundamental processes of cell proliferation and apoptosis is not in favor of a tumor-promoting activity of these compounds. It is, therefore, concluded that there is no preclinical evidence that the therapeutic use of CCB of the dihydropyridine class is associated with an increased risk of cancer.