Risks of new rheumatoid arthritis drug

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A review shows that tumor necrosis factor antibody, a new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, is linked to increased risk of cancer and serious infection.
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody is a relatively new treatment for rheumatoid arthritis which works by damping down the inflammation that drives the condition. Previous work has suggested that anti-TNF antibodies have the side effect of increasing the risk of infection. Now a review by doctors at the Mayo Clinic confirms this and also shows an increased risk of cancer.

Analyzing trials covering 3,493 patients on anti-TNF and 1,512 on placebo, they find that the new drug leads to a 3.3 times higher risk of cancer and a 2.2 times increased risk of serious infection. This is probably because anti-TNF suppresses the immune system so the body loses some of its protection from both infection and cancer. However, this does not mean that patients should give up anti-TNF - for many, it is still the best treatment they can have. But they should take extra care to protect from side effects - by having their vaccinations and cancer screens so problems can be prevented or picked up early.

Source
The Mayo Clinic 16th May 2006

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