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article on TNF blockers and cancer

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/4/2008 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.reuters.com/article/governmentFilingsNews/idUSN0431255120080604
Posted 6/4/2008 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Man. The decisions we have to make with this stupid disease. Risk cancer of the colon, or take drugs to supposedly reduce the risk that increase the risk of other cancers and conditions, or have major life altering surgery and be cured of UC but have a new set of obstacles and possible complications. Meh.
Posted 6/4/2008 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
UC wouldn't be as bad if most of the meds didn't have horrible side effects. ARGH, I don't want to take oral steroids or immunosuppressants or have surgery, but those look like my only options!
Posted 6/4/2008 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Yet more support for stopping the immunosuppressants if you're taking Remicade. Seems you need to pick one or the other. I'd be interested to see something that reports the actual incidence compared with a similar population that's not taking one of these drugs.
Posted 6/4/2008 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
True. I've heard the risk is MUCH higher when you take something ilke azathioprine in addition to Remicade.
Posted 6/4/2008 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
I called the FDA today to find out more 'cause I am not going to give up remicade for any amount of money. It has made me human again and I am closing in on the 1 year mark (supposedly after 1yr the chances of developing cancer drop.) They are just looking into the 30 cases of cancer in children from 1998 to 2008.
Posted 6/4/2008 11:14 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder what ages they mean by "young adult." Because it could mean as young as 13 or as old as someone in their 20's. And this may be a stupid question, but would 5-ASA's be considered immune-suppressing drugs? Or do they mean steriods or other actual immunosuppressants (like Humira + Remicade)?
Posted 6/4/2008 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
When they speak of immunosuppressants, they're talking about Imuran (Azathioprine) and 6-MP. Humira, Remicade and related products are referred to as biologicals or anti-TNF drugs. 5-ASA's are anti-inflammatories rather than immunosuppressants.

As has always been reported, the lymphoma occurrance is a small number and almost always in people who are also taking Imuran or 6-MP.
Posted 6/4/2008 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
The news tonight said people who used the drugs before the age of 18 I believe. It might have been even younger. My doc has always said that they do not know the long term effects of Remicade and I can't stay on it for too long. Like everyone else I am wondering what the heck I am going to do since they have tried every other medication on me. sad
Posted 6/5/2008 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
Maybe more information will be released. My mother takes Enbrel for her arthritis. I wonder if that will be approved for UC. She hasn't had any problems with it but this makes me worried.
Posted 6/5/2008 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Melatonin is a natural TNF blocker but I thibk you'd have to take mega doses...
Posted 6/5/2008 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
BBC,
If I took mega doses of melatonin, I would either be sleeping all of the time or none of the time! HEHE :)
Posted 6/5/2008 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
http://www.remicade.com/remicade/uc/uc_index.html

Remicade's website pretty much acknowldeges what that article said.

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