The researchers examined 16,914 patients who underwent spinal fusion between 2002 and 2010, with 4,246 receiving rhBMP. The researchers found:
1. There were 449 patients who received a cancer diagnosis in the rhBMP group and 332 in the non-BMP group. The percentage of patients in each group was similar — 2.76 percent in the BMP group and 2.62 percent in the non-BMP group.
2. There was a similar incidence rate between both rhBMP and non-BMP groups at 9.5 per 1,000 person years and 9.0 per 1,000 person years, respectively. The hazard ratio was 1.06.
3. There wasn’t a difference in the rate of cancer between the two groups on the basis of fusion site or surgical method.
4. The article authors concluded there wasn’t an increase in the overall cancer incidence when patients had surgery with rhBMP. However, there was limited follow-up.
5. Cancer rates could increase several years after surgery. “The examination of cancer incidence following rhBMP administration must continue beyond just the first several years to adequately assess the potential of rhBMP to influence the occurrence of one or more types of malignancy,” concluded the study authors.
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