Home
Newsletter
Events
Blogs
Reports
Graphics
RSS
About Us
Support
Write for Us
Media Info
Advertising Info
FDA

FDA Set to Approve Deadly Enbrel Drug for Children - Update1

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer
Tags: FDA, health news, Natural News


Most Viewed Articles
https://www.naturalnews.com/024781_FDA_drug_children.html
Delicious
diaspora
Print
Email
Share

(NaturalNews) An FDA advisory panel has recommended the approval of Amgen's immune-suppressing drug Enbrel (generic name etanercept) for the treatment of psoriasis in children, in spite of ongoing concerns that the drug may have lethal side effects. The recommendation comes at a time when the FDA is investigating whether the entire drug family -- of which Enbrel is a part -- increases the risk of cancer in children, particularly lymphoma.

The FDA is investigating 30 reports of cancer in children and young adults who have been treated with drugs in the family, known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Because TNF blockers interfere with the functioning of the immune system, they are used to treat autoimmune disorders such as Crohn's disease or rheumatoid arthritis. By the same token, however, they can dangerously weaken the body's defenses, exposing it to serious infection or other problems.

Enbrel is currently approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in both adults and children, and for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis in adults only. If the FDA follows its panel's recommendation, as it usually does, children with moderate to severe psoriasis will also soon be treated with the drug. An early statement from the FDA said it believes the potential benefits of the use of TNF blockers outweigh the potential risks.

One day earlier, the same advisory panel recommended the approval of another adult psoriasis drug: ustekinumab, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson. Only the week before, however, the FDA had issued a warning on its Web site that ustekinumab may increase the risk of cancer in those who take it.

People with psoriasis suffer from itchy or painful red, thick patches on the skin. The immune system is believed to play some role in mediating the disease.

Sources for the story include: www.washingtonpost.com and www.fda.gov/CDER/drug/early_comm/TNF_blocker...

Receive Our Free Email Newsletter

Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.


comments powered by Disqus



Natural News Wire (Sponsored Content)

Science.News
Science News & Studies
Medicine.News
Medicine News and Information
Food.News
Food News & Studies
Health.News
Health News & Studies
Herbs.News
Herbs News & Information
Pollution.News
Pollution News & Studies
Cancer.News
Cancer News & Studies
Climate.News
Climate News & Studies
Survival.News
Survival News & Information
Gear.News
Gear News & Information
Glitch.News
News covering technology, stocks, hackers, and more