Arthritis Treatment Increases Cancer Risk

A recently published study reviewed the use of TNF- (tumor necrosis factor) blocking antibodies for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases and concluded that these drugs increased the likelihood of the patient contracting cancer or a serious infectious disease.

Investigators at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, USA) used data from nine drug trials wherein 3,493 patients had received the TNF-blocking antibodies infliximab or adalimumab and 1,512 patients received placebo. Data for low and high doses of the drugs were evaluated separately to determine risk for development of cancer or serious infectious disease.

Results published in the May 17, 2006, issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed that those treated with TNF-blocking antibodies had 3.3 times the risk of developing cancer than those given placebo and 2.2 times the risk of serious infection. Higher dosages of the drugs increased the risk of developing cancer.

"This study shows a strong association between treatment with TNF-blocking antibodies and the development of serious infections, such as pneumonia, and cancers,” said senior author Dr. Eric Matteson, professor of rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic. "It is 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. Most of the patients appropriate for this therapy do not have other good options. TNF-blocking antibodies are absolutely the best drug for many patients. They have revolutionized the way we treat rheumatoid arthritis, especially in patients who do not respond to conventional therapies. So, I am not looking to get rid of this therapy. I want to see it used safely.”



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