does Enbrel cause cancer?

[dai_lo]

Hi,

I have been taking Enbrel twice a week since May 2009. I found some articles about Enbrel may cause cancer.

does anyone on Enbrel for more than 8 years? if so, have you had serious illness since you are on Enbrel?

Please advise

Alice

[googlebot]

Hi Alice,

Lymphoma (a type of cancer) is listed as a possible, again I say possible, side effect of enbrel. Here's the source: http://www.enbrel.com/psoriatic-arth...ubchannel=PTRD

But tell me......what doesn't cause or is a possibility of getting cancer nowdays.

At first I was torn up about having to go on a biologic, but not anymore. My first dose was on 6/30/09. I shoot twice weekly with the 50 mg. prefilled syringes, so far....so good.

Hoping I do not develop any type of infection and have to miss a dose.

[dai_lo]

Hi Googlebot,

yeah, you are right. Anything could cause cancer nowaday.

have your psoriasis been improving once start with Enbrel?

My P has improved a lot, especially my upper body and legs. My lower Legs still have a lot of P but at least they have turned lighter.

Let's work hard and never give up!!

thanks

Alice

Hi Alice,

Lymphoma (a type of cancer) is listed as a possible, again I say possible, side effect of enbrel. Here's the source: http://www.enbrel.com/psoriatic-arth...ubchannel=PTRD

But tell me......what doesn't cause or is a possibility of getting cancer nowdays.

At first I was torn up about having to go on a biologic, but not anymore. My first dose was on 6/30/09. I shoot twice weekly with the 50 mg. prefilled syringes, so far....so good.

Hoping I do not develop any type of infection and have to miss a dose.

[wildflowerAnn]

Use the search function and type in lymphoma; or "liver cancer"; or melanoma; or kidney cancer. There have been many, many sad reports here, and that should answer your question. To say just about anything causes cancer (water, strawberries, toothpaste???) is a stretch. Biologics can cause cancer.

[ouchyk]

Hi,

If you have some spare time listen to this dr put it in perspective.

https://psoriasisevents.webex.com/ec...b&format=short

get information from your dermatologist, ask him how many patients in his practice have cancer directly attributed to a biologic, also ask how many of those patients were on another dmard at the same time, if they smoked, drank heavily, ate crap, overweight....etc etc so many variables out there!

and yes I know a few people who have been on bio's since they were in clinicals, some early clinicals. Thankfully, they are all fine and grateful to have them.

best wishes,
Karen

[singlebarrel]

"Cause" is not really the right word. We don't know "causes" all cancers to be honest although some are blatantly related such as smoking to lung cancer, but what about someone who develops lung cancer and never smoked a day in his or her life?

What enbrel does is increase you risk of developing cancer. We already have a risk factor by being alive no matter how healthy we are or not, but doing certain things can increase these risks.

How do they determine this? It's a statistical analysis. If there is a 1% chance of getting lymphoma by way of 1% of the population having it and we find that 3% enbrel users get lymphoma we see there is an increased risk. There still a 97% chance of not getting it...these numbers are totally made up for example purposes.

Many people that use enbrel have quality of life issues that justify accepting the risk factor. It's a personal decision, but it should certainly be a well informed decision as well.

[lpagano]

Hi dai_lo:

I agree with Googlebot, many things can cause cancer, there are no safe drugs, but quality of life also counts for something. There are some sad stories as Wildflower stated, but there are many more happy stories. There are always people and articles to scare the cra_ out of you. You need to do your research, question your doctor and then make your own decision. I am glad you are having success. Enbrel did not work for me, but I am happy to say Remicade does.

[wildflowerAnn]

Oh good grief. I wasn't trying to scare anyone. It was an honest answer to a direct question. If a person is on Enbrel, should they even have to ask that question? The FDA expects the prescribing physician to discuss possible side effects at the onset. Did that not happen, yet again???

dai_lo, if you need enbrel, then your psoriasis must be pretty bad, and I feel sorry for you. I hope like heck that its your wonder drug and gives you some relief. I only wish the best for you.

[nesielheum]

Hi,

I have been taking Enbrel twice a week since May 2009. I found some articles about Enbrel may cause cancer.

does anyone on Enbrel for more than 8 years? if so, have you had serious illness since you are on Enbrel?

Please advise

Alice

Hello Alice,
The following info may help to give you a better understanding of the psoriasis, biologics, cancer link.

Cancer
A number of studies have found an increased risk of certain types of cancer in psoriasis patients, such as a form of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma and lymphoma. In some instances, these cancers have been associated with specific psoriasis treatments which suppress the immune system. "Following the recommended routine health screenings for cancers and avoiding high-risk behaviors that increase the risk of developing some cancers, such as smoking, alcohol abuse, and intentional sun exposure, must be a high priority for psoriasis patients who may be at an increased risk for these potentially life-threatening diseases," said Dr. Kimball.

Dr. Kimball and the task force urged psoriasis patients to work together with their dermatologists and other appropriate physicians to outline an appropriate preventative program based on the patient's individual medical history and known risk factors to ensure they are continually monitoring for the potential onset of any health issues related to psoriasis. The authors hope that this review begins a dialogue on how to best diagnose, monitor, and treat the co-morbidities associated with psoriasis.

from>>> http://www.psoriasis.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=495
In a nutshell, biologics are not a "cause" of cancer, but there is some indication that these new drugs may play a role in the development of cancers. At any rate these drugs are powerful and those of us that choose to take them should be acutely cognizant of any health related issues while on these drugs. The need for an open dialog with the prescribing physician cannot be stressed strongly enough. Best of luck to you in controlling this disease.

[wildflowerAnn]

"Therefore, FDA concludes there is an increased risk of malignancy with TNF blockers."

This, from their latest announcement that they will require Black Box warning modifications for the biologics.

There is no FDA conclusion that there is an increased risk of malignancy with drinking water or eating vegetables. I have no hidden agenda regarding the biologics. Everyone has a right to know that cancer is a very real possibility when they choose to take these drugs.

[bjones71]

Ive been on enbrel now for over 5 years.. Never had the first side effect. Not to say I wont.But I can tell you my quality of life has improved drastically. I wouldnt trade my five years of clear skin for 10 years of psoriasis filled skin. If I die tommorow I wouldnt regret being on enbrel because of the many things I got to experience because of it. Such as shorts ,short sleeved shirts, swimming ,going to the beach, ect. ect. you see where Im going with this. Not that Ive even been able to do these things comfortably the whole time. Ive had flare ups from time to time but there not that bad concidering. So its definately a personal choice that each one of us have to make. Im glad Ive made mine ... with no regrets Bobby

[wildflowerAnn]

I took immunosuppressants too, and I'm so glad I did. It was definitely worth the risks to me.