TNF-alpha Blockers Not Associated With Increased Cancer Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

TNF-alpha blockers are a class of biologic drugs that have been given to more than 600,000 people worldwide to treat rheumatoid arthritis and some other types of inflammatory arthritis. The drugs, which are administered by self-injection (Enbrel and Humira) or intravenously (Remicade) interfere with biologic substances that cause or worsen inflammation. While TNF-alpha blockers have been a successful treatment for many patients, there have been concerns about an increased risk of cancer as a possible consequence of blocking TNF.

According to a study presented this week at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology, researchers in Spain recently analyzed BIOBADASER, a drug registry established in 2001 for the purpose of tracking the safety of biologics used to treat arthritis. As of December 2007, the registry included 4,529 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had been treated with TNF-alpha blockers. Researchers compared the group to a second control group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (not treated with TNF-alpha blockers) to assess the incidence of cancer. Researchers found that the incidence of developing cancer in the group treated with TNF-alpha blockers was very close to that of the control group not treated with TNF-alpha blockers and concluded there was no increased risk associated with TNF blockers.

Related Resources:

• TNF-alpha Blockers - What You Need to Know
• Test Your Knowledge - TNF-alpha Blocker Drugs
• Are Some Patients Unsuitable Candidates for Biologic Drugs?
• When Is It Appropriate to Switch Your TNF Blocker Drug?
• Arthritis Without Pain - The Miracle of TNF Blockers (Book Review)

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