FDA to probe Possible Link between TNF Drug and Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an organization in the United States that deals with health and human services and is involved in sorting out current and important health problems facing humanity, has expressed serious concern over the possible link between certain TNF drugs and cancer, especially in children.

The FDA is probing the possibility of a connection between the use of drugs to treat diseases like childhood arthritis, Crohn's disease, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (better known as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) and such other diseases and the occurrence of childhood cancers in about 30 cases.

The above mentioned medicines work against autoimmune diseases like specific types of arthritis and Crohn’s disease by blocking the molecule called Tumor Necrosis Factor or TNF thereby shutting down those autoimmune responses that cause the reddening and swelling of one’s joints. However, here is the catch: TNF is also part of the defense mechanism that the human body employs to fight cancerous cells.

It is not as if the drug manufacturers keep the patients in the dark about this dangerous side effect. The labels of the drugs mention cancer as a possible side-effect, particularly white blood cell cancer or lymphoma.

Owing to the grave danger of cancer, the FDA has taken strong steps to probe the matter. It is entering into dialogue with the manufacturers of these drugs, to weed out dangers posed to children, specifically by providing it with all data regarding the number of cases where children on these drugs have contracted cancer. The makers of Cimzia have been asked to institute a study, to take off by 2009, concerning the long term effects of its use.

In a statement, the FDA said, “At the current time, the FDA believes that the potential benefits of the use of TNF blockers outweigh the potential risks in certain children and young adults having one of the diseases for which the TNF blockers are approved to treat.”

The FDA also added, “Until the evaluation is completed, healthcare providers, parents, and caregivers should be aware of the possible risk of lymphoma and other cancers in children and young adults when deciding how to best treat these patients.”

The FDA expects to complete its study over the next six months. It will be looking to talk to medical experts for an accurate assessment of the possibility of a connection between the drugs and cancer. It also expects to determine if certain children with Crohn’s disease and juvenile arthritis are at higher risk of suffering from cancer.