Possible Association between TNF Blockers and Cancer Aug. 08

FDA has informed healthcare professionals that it is investigating a possible association between drugs that block tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the development of lymphoma and other cancers in children and young adults.

This is part of FDA's commitment to inform healthcare professionals and the public about its ongoing drug safety reviews. Because this information is preliminary and there is scientific uncertainty, FDA is not taking regulatory action at this point, nor advising healthcare professionals to stop using the drugs.

The TNF blockers in question, Remicade (infliximab), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab) and Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), are used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Crohn's disease, and other inflammatory conditions. The labeling for these drugs already warns about a possible risk of cancer.

Over the past ten years, FDA has received about 30 reports of cancer in patients who were treated with TNF blockers when they were under 18 years old. These patients also took other immunosuppressive agents, such as methotrexate and azathioprine. Although these reports are cause for concern, in and of themselves they do not establish that TNF blockers increase the risk of cancer above background levels.

FDA is investigating all the available evidence about a possible link between TNF blockers and cancer, and is consulting with experts in this area to determine whether there are children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Crohn's disease who may be at special risk of developing cancer if they take the drugs. This evaluation will take about six months, after which FDA will let health professionals and the public know about its conclusions.

In the meantime, health care professionals, parents and caregivers should be aware of the possible cancer risk in deciding the best way to treat these patients. FDA also encourages both healthcare professionals and patients to report side effects from the use of Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, and Cimzia, to the FDA's MedWatch adverse event reporting program.

Again, this is preliminary information and it is part of FDA's effort to keep the public informed about its ongoing drug safety reviews.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• TNF
• Blocker
• Cancer
• FDA
• Tumor
• Necrosis
• Factor
• Remicade
• Enbrel
• Humira
• Cimzia
• Chron's
• Disease

[thepatient08]

Don't take enbrel. Six months worth when I was 16, and I've had serious stomach problems and general inability to gain weight ever since. I'm 6'5 and skinny as a stick thanks to those shots.

[humpy1980]

@jonblood i just received a month's supply of enbrel. I have not taken it yet bc of all the scary stories i keep hearing about it. What exactly happened to you? Also,have you found anything else out there that helps but doesn't do horrible things? thanx

[rumit99]

@rushedartist yeah sue them, then they can raise the price of drugs for everyone. Also dont forget to report it to the FDA.

[rushedartist]

DO NOT TAKE THESE DRUGS!!!!!! i took etanercept and it did work for my psoriatic arthritis, but it gave me cancer, pneumonia, hearing loss from numerous ear infections, double pneumonia where i was almost dead, a miscarriage and caused me to test positive for tuberculosis. i am now suing the makers of Enbrel. DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG!!!!!!! it treats the psoriasis but after getting cancer of the placenta they told me i couldn't have kids for a year. it SUCKS not being in control of your life.

[drtrotter74]

@Taekwondokid999 how did it kill her?

[3whisperedwords]

I would rather take a rish to die of cancer then keep on living with the severity of my crohns and HS for the rest of my life:( It is worth it to me. Even if the risk was as high as 40%.

[jonblood]

sorry to hear your loss. fuck enbrel i'm over it. it helps my psoriasis on the outside but kills me on the inside

[Taekwondokid999]

@jonblood Yes. I swear on my life.

[jonblood]

did that really happen? sorry for asking but im taking enbrel so i was wondering

[Taekwondokid999]

Thank your. Enbrel killed my grandmother.