Anti-Inflamatory Drugs Could Raise the Risk of Teen and Childhood Cancers August 9
The FDA has put out new warnings about using TNF blockers (Simponi, Humira, Enbrel, Cimzia, Rimicade) due to the risk of developing lymphoma and other cancers in teen and child patients with inflammatory disease. The drugs already have a black box that warns that the drug may cause cancer but the FDA wants the risk of lymphoma and other cancers for child and teen patients to be clear as well. Made to neutralize tumor necrosis factor alpha, a protein that is overproduced in a patient with inflammatory disease(such as psoriasis, Crohn’s Disease, and psoriatic arthritis), the drug does its job. Unfortunately TNF is a major factor in the prevention of developing cancers.
An investigation begun in June of 2008 led to these findings. During the investigation 48 cases of malignant cancers and 147 cases of leukemia were found in teens and children who were taking the TNF blockers. 11 of these who contracted lymphoma and 26 of those who contracted leukemia died as a result of the cancer or its treatment. The FDA warns doctors and patients to be aware of the symptoms of cancer and watch for them if they’re using the drug.
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