results of new study on TNF blockers | Arthritis Information

I saw this study report and thought others might be interested. I know some are fearful of the new TNF blocker drugs like Humira and Enbrel because of the increased risk of cancer.

"In the new study, researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, examined the medical records of 1,152 people who took TNF-blockers or a related drug called anakinra (Kineret), as well as 7,306 who took another rheumatoid arthritis drug, methotrexate (brand named Rheumatrex and Trexall).

An estimated 70 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients are on methotrexate, Bingham said.

Reporting in the September issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the researchers concluded that users of TNF-blockers and related medications are "unlikely" to have a significantly higher risk of cancer than those who take methotrexate."

Encouraging news! Thanks!

That does sound like good news.

I would like to check out the study.

Forgot to post the link...here it is:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=63 872

Thanks for the article. What always worries me is the author...........

"It's possible that longer-term studies may still reveal higher cancer rates, said Bingham, who's received funding from companies that are developing TNF blockers"

roxy39009.4228703704

Let's hope not all companies wish to hide the side effects of their drugs because they are the ones that have the money and interest to monitor what happens long term with these medications.

We can also hope the laws will be passes that will punish hiding negative findings so severely that the management will go to jail. I don't think monetary punishment is all that effective.

I am with you Roxy. The author and the sponsor makes all the difference. Isn't it a shame that we can't believe the media. It's all about money and who is scratching whose back.
We know that mtx is part of the chemo treatment so does it help prevent cancer? Does anyone have knowledge about this? We keep reading that it can cause cancer so who can we believe if anyone.

MTX has been used for 25 years. At least one study showed that people who took MTX 10+ years out lived the people who weren't treated as effectively. I read this in 1998 when I was trying to work up the courage to try it. Study was conducted by a clinic in the midwest that surveys RA patients about their treatments and health long term. This clinic often presents at the annual conference for rhuemys. They have asked rhuemys at the conference to ask their patients to sign up for the surveys and news letter.

I can't recall the the name of the clinic or news letter. Does anybody know about this? Are they still publishing?

I really hate brain fog.

What is amazing is pharmaceutical companies DO NOT have to make public negative results in studies. So of course they only publish results that endorse their drugs. This kind of corruption has been discovered all over the world. The other sad thing is most drug studies are done with desperate people in third world countries. They are literally used as lab rats because they are so desperate for medication

Sometimes those studies are the only way to afford the drugs. Remicade was being tested with mtx, or with a different dmard for a long time - like for 5 years all over the usa in rhuemy clinics. Those people who got in the study got their drugs and dr care for free. If you can find an open label study it is a great way to get treated.

Hi Alan, sorry this response seems to be a day late.

Thanks for the article on the Enbrel. What worried me most was that the study compared Enbrel to Methotrexate which has been linked to Lymphomas (seemably reversible if you stop Methotrexate).

I have been struggling for 6 months, trying to get the courage to take any of these drugs. My rheumy is pressuring me to start on methotrexate but the side effects scare me more than my RA, which I am successfully managing with food avoidance and Quercertin.

I have read a lot of studies on Methotrexate and find them very confusing. One study said they had 33% success in reducing symptoms by 20% and another said they had 60% success in reducing symptoms by 20%. The research seems to be all over the place. Meanwhile I have personally seen a 70% reduction in symptoms using alternative methods.

I still worry about long term damage without a DMARD.

Being new to all of this can really be overwhelming at times and I do not feel like I can really discuss these concerns with my Rheumy.

MTX does have risks. But it really helps me. I can tell a big difference if they just lower the dose. The biggest problem is possible damage to liver. But they do blood tests constantly to monitor the side effects of MTX. It has been one of the longest used meds out there.

The problem with not taking something that stops the progression is the ugliness that RA can cause for your body. If you start having joint damage (and they need to check for that, you can't always tell), it is irreversible except possibly by surgery.

If you feel that you disease is under control with what you are currently doing, maybe you could ask your doctor for some xrays or a bone scan to see if RA is advancing in you or not. A lot of people have tried the natural remedies first and have regretted it. That doesn't mean that they shouldn't be a big part of your treatment plan. But you need to be able to converse with your doctor about this and possibly add a Naturalpathic doctor to your team. Then, you might just get the best of both worlds and feel more confident about whatever decisions you make.

It is hard to decide. But joint and sytem damage are the keys. What is going to stop the progression of this illness.

Good luck with your decision.

newroads - why don't you try plaquinel. It is the mildest of all dmards and it is cheap. Since you are doing pretty well without any - this may be all you need, to get the other 30% reduction .

You just need to do an eye checkup every 6 months - just the test with all the little dots of color. If you do have a problem it goes away when the drug is stopped. This drug is used for malaria and hundreds of 1000s of people have taken it with out any trouble at all. Just not so many in the USA, since we do not have that kind of mosquito.

What do you think?

Thanks Marian and Deanna

You have offered me a lot to think about. I am already seeing a naturalpath who tested my food sensitivities and put me on the Quercertin.

Marian- my rheumy suggested plaquanil also. I guess it is time to stop denying I have this disease and get on with the treatment.

I really appreciate your inputs.