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Laurent Azoulay, PhD

Associate-Professor – Department of Oncology
Associate-Member – Department of EBOH
Faculty of Medicine, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Investigator, Centre for Clinical Epidemiology, LDI-JGH

Pioglitazone and the risk of bladder cancer: An ongoing saga

ALL ARE WELCOME

Abstract:

Pioglitazone is an antidiabetic drug that has been shown to improve glycemic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, its safety is controversial, with earlier studies associating its use with an increased risk of bladder cancer. While the findings of these studies led to a black-box warning on the drug’s label, recent studies with longer follow-up have failed to observe an association; but these had important methodological shortcomings. In this seminar, I will present the findings of a large population-based study that used a robust pharmacoepidemiologic approach to address different sources of bias. This study fits within a broader research program in cancer pharmacoepidemiology.

Objectives:

1. To review the role of pharmacotherapies in the management of type 2 diabetes
2. To review the controversies associating pioglitazone with bladder cancer
3. To acquire new knowledge of the possible association between pioglitazone and bladder cancer

Bio:

Dr. Laurent Azoulay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. He received his PhD in 2007 from the Université de Montréal, and then joined Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in 2009. His research interests are primarily in cancer pharmacoepidemiology. He has conducted numerous studies assessing the association between commonly prescribed drugs and cancer incidence, as well as evaluating the short- and long-term safety of cancer treatments. His research program is funded by a CIHR Foundation Scheme grant.