FDA reviews Enbrel, Humira and Remicade

Published: June 4, 2008 at 10:38 AM
Related Company

WASHINGTON, June 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a safety review of several drugs known as tumor necrosis factor, or TNF, blockers.

The agency said the drugs -- Enbrel, Humira and Remicade -- are being reviewed for a possible association with development of lymphoma and other cancers in children and young adults treated for juvenile idiopathic arthritis and Crohn's disease.

The drugs suppress the immune system by blocking the activity of TNF, a substance in the body that can cause inflammation and lead to immune system-related diseases.

The FDA said it has asked the makers of the TNF blockers to supply information about all cases of cancer reported in children and young adults taking TNF blockers.

While the review is ongoing, FDA advises doctors to weigh the possible association with lymphoma and other cancers against the benefits of treatment when prescribing TNF blockers to children and young adults.

Enbrel is manufactured by Amgen and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Humira is produced by Abbott Laboratories and Remicade is manufactured by Centocor Inc.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Scientists develop tumor-attacking virus (12 min)
First-time jobless claims drop by 5,000 (12 min)
Nadal-Berdych lead off Davis Cup final (15 min)
Aspirin, Tylenol could impact flu vaccines (20 min)
Mauresmo retires from tennis (32 min)
CT tumor images might predict survival (35 min)
Markets move higher on labor and bank news (39 min)
fark
If your wife's visa is rejected, it probably won't help her case if you threaten to decapitate the...
We're just simple cavemen, and this $7 billion inheritance frightens and confuses us
Time for the annual "parent thinks she hears toy doll dropping F-bombs" story
Hell hath no fury like a woman, her mother, her sisters, and her aunt, all scorned
Bar owner equipped with a Stool of Defense (+6) successfully repels two Bandits armed with a Chaos...
Photoshop this lighted rail