Risk of Glioblastoma Multiforme in Patients Taking Ion Channel Blockers

Background Ion channels play a role in the development and progression of glioblastoma multiforme. This study investigates the association between the risk of developing glioblastoma multiforme in patients taking these medications. Methods A retrospective propensity score-matched analysis was performed using the TriNetX multinational electronic health record database for patients taking verapamil, digoxin, amiodarone, or diltiazem versus those not taking these medications. The outcome of interest was the incidence of glioblastoma multiforme. Results Verapamil users had an OR of 0.494 (p < 0.0001) of developing glioblastoma versus verapamil non-users. Patients on digoxin had an OR of 0.793 (p = 0.2393), patients on amiodarone had an OR of 0.600 (p = 0.0035), patients on diltiazem had an OR of 0.584 (p < 0.0001), and patients on verapamil, digoxin, amiodarone, or diltiazem had an OR of 0.641 (p < 0.0001) of developing glioblastoma versus patients not taking these medications. Conclusion In patients taking the ion channel blockers diltiazem, amiodarone, or verapamil, the odds of developing glioblastoma multiforme were lower than in patients not taking these medications.