Malignancy

Chronic immunosuppression with this agent, a purine antimetabolite, increases the risk of malignancies in humans. Reports of malignancy include post-transplant lymphoma and hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Physicians should be very familiar with above risks and mutagenic potential to both men and women and with possible hematologic toxicities. Physicians should inform patients of the risk of malignacy with azathioprine.