On June 4, 2008, the FDA announced that it is investigating the possible association between the use of medicines known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers and the development of lymphoma and other cancers in children and young adults.

Click here to read an article regarding the investigation.

Amgen & Wyeth issued a response that stating that, "Amgen provided the FDA with information from both companies' adverse events databases and is continuing to work with the Agency to evaluate the overall risk benefit of ENBREL in pediatric patients."

Click here to view Amgen & Wyeth's full statement.

We asked our Medical & Scientific Advisory Board if they could comment on the matter. What follows is their initial response to this issue:

People who have been treated with medications that block tumor necrosis factor (TNF), along with other immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate and azathioprine, should be aware that there have been several cases of cancer including lymphomas reported over the last ten years. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating these reports to find out if these cancers are happening more frequently because the patients are receiving these medications or if they are to be expected based on sporadic cases. It will take a long time to determine whether TNF inhibitors increase the risk of developing cancer because (fortunately) the number of cases is very small so far. Until these studies have been completed, doctors and other health care providers should be aware that there may be an increased risk of cancer, and this possibility should be explained to patients and families so that everyone is aware of the situations.

Virtually no medication is without risk, and the risks and benefits of all treatments should be discussed and carefully considered by patients and their health care providers before treatment.

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