Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Linked to Cancers

What would you do if the prescription drug you are taking to treat a disease could be connected with an increased risk of infection and malignancies because the drug interferes with the immune system, which is critical for fighting infection and the body's normal function in surveying itself for cancerous cells?

From Ivanhoe Newswire;
Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug Linked to Cancers

A new analysis of previous studies shows rheumatoid arthritis drugs known as TNF- (tumor necrosis factor) blocking antibodies may increase the risk of cancer and infectious diseases.

"This study shows a strong association between treatment with TNF-blocking antibodies and the development of serious infections, such as pneumonia, and cancers," says Eric Matteson, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "It's a very serious issue. TNF-blocking antibodies are effective for treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions, but patients and health care providers must know that there is an increased risk for these complications and be alert for them."

Investigators studied 3,493 patients who received TNF-blocking antibodies and 1,512 patients who received placebos. Researchers found those treated with TNF-blocking antibodies had about three-times the risk of developing cancer than those given a placebo and about two-times the risk of serious infection. Cancers were much more common in those patients treated with high doses of TNF-blocking antibodies.

Dr. Matteson says TNF-blocking antibodies might be connected with an increased risk of infection and malignancies because the drugs interfere with the immune system, which is critical for fighting infection and the body's normal function in
surveying itself for cancerous cells.

According to researchers, the risk patients undertake when receiving TNF-blocking antibody treatment is "moderate."

In addition, researchers say rheumatoid arthritis patients are already at twice the risk of serious infections and taking TNF-blocking antibodies increases the risk.

Dr. Matteson strongly encourages patients who are prescribed TNF-blocking antibodies for rheumatoid arthritis to be especially alert to symptoms of infection, to get their vaccinations, and to undergo cancer screening appropriate for their age and gender.

Lead investigator, Tim Bongartz, M.D., also from the Mayo Clinic, cautions this study is not a final overall risk-benefit analysis for TNF-blocking antibodies.

"Even though we detected an increase in malignancies and serious infections, it does not mean that overall the risks outweigh the benefits for patients," he says.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

Source: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 2006;295:2275-2285