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    Certain Cancer Drugs May Have Fatal Side Effects: Analysis

    HealthDay – Mon, Feb 6, 2012

    MONDAY, Feb. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Treatment with three relatively new cancer drugs may be linked to a slightly increased risk of death, a new analysis suggests.

    While the risk is low, it should be taken into account by doctors and patients, according to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists and colleagues.

    The investigators analyzed the findings of 10 clinical trials that included nearly 4,700 patients treated with sorafenib (Nexavar) for kidney and liver cancer; sunitinib (Sutent) for kidney cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor; or pazopanib (Votrient) for kidney cancer.

    These so-called "targeted" drugs are used to stop the growth or spread of cancer by blocking the vascular endothelial growth factor tyrosine kinase receptors in cancer cells, the researchers explained in a Dana-Farber news release.

    The analysis of the clinical trials revealed that the incidence of fatal complications was 1.5 percent in patients who received any of the three drugs, compared with 0.7 percent in patients who received standard treatments or placebos.

    Bleeding, heart attack and heart failure were the most common fatal side effects noted in the clinical trials. In addition, liver failure was also reported, according to the report published in the Feb. 6 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

    "There is no doubt for the average patient, these drugs have benefits and are [U.S. Food and Drug Administration]-approved for these indications," study leader Dr. Toni Choueiri said in the news release. "While the absolute incidence of these fatal side effects is very small, the relative risks are higher and patients and practitioners need to be aware of it."

    More information

    The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about targeted cancer therapies.

     

    4 comments

    • Taterbug
      Taterbug  •  3 mths ago
      That is funny..... most drugs have side effects.... in fact if you watch any commercial for most drugs, they have more side effects then the pill is actually good for... If I have acid reflux... I learn not to eat the foods that may trigger it instead of taking a pill that may give me an ulcer, cause cough; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; light-headedness; runny or stuffy nose; sinus inflammation; trouble sleeping;
      weakness. Doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure out that most pills are not safe...
      • Dom
        Dom 3 mths ago
        Taterbug, do you know anything at all about probability? Do you understand that, just because a "side effect" is listed as possible on a drug label, it does not mean that every person taking the drug WILL have that effect. Even very rare side effects, -- effects that may not even have been caused by the drug -- must still be listed as "possible." Moreover, both the beneficial therapeutic effects and adverse "side effects" are related to dose of the drug. Remember: EVERYTHING is toxic at some dose -- even water. The difference between the does that provides benefit and the dose that provides adverse toxicity is called the "therapeutic window." Wider is always better, but the more severe and debilitating the disease, the narrower the window can be. "Safe" is a relative term. It's all about weighing risk vs. benefit. It may not take a "rocket scientist" to understand drugs -- but it helps.
      • Marlene
        Marlene 3 mths ago
        Dom, you can take your "therapeutic window" and throw it out the window! We are being sold a bill of goods!
      • Taterbug
        Taterbug 3 mths ago
        Dom.... do you realize I was just STATING MY OPINION????? I personally dont give a rats behind what you think.... I know that I am over 50 and do not take any BP, heart, Cholesterol,, any kind of meds and I am doing just fine... I know many people that are as old as I am and younger that are on all sorts of #$%$ meds and they are constantly sick.As far as I am concerned the medical and pharmaceutical and the govt are all in bed with each other.... All I was saying is that it seems that for many ( not all) the risks are worse then the benefits one may get from certain meds... I personally dont take them and you sir can take yours and put them where the sun dont shine... *S*S Have a great night *L*L
    • StarZenIz
      StarZenIz  •  Sherwood, Oregon  •  3 mths ago
      Ah Tater as a nurse I helped take these cancers out and took care of the consequences of the surgeries as well as the drugs. One thing I can tell you it's all about the big drug companies and money. Almost every nurse will tell you I'm dx with CA and I will not be cut up or poisoned for the last few months of years of my life
      • Taterbug
        Taterbug 3 mths ago
        agrees... this is what I wrote to Dom

        Dom.... do you realize I was just STATING MY OPINION????? I personally dont give a rats behind what you think.... I know that I am over 50 and do not take any BP, heart, Cholesterol,, any kind of meds and I am doing just fine... I know many people that are as old as I am and younger that are on all sorts of #$%$ meds and they are constantly sick.As far as I am concerned the medical and pharmaceutical and the govt are all in bed with each other.... All I was saying is that it seems that for many ( not all) the risks are worse then the benefits one may get from certain meds... I personally dont take them and you sir can take yours and put them where the sun dont shine... *S*S Have a great night *L*L
    • alagbe
      alagbe  •  Lagos, Nigeria  •  3 mths ago
      any body can call me.concerning any health challenge by the grace of GOD we shall see the solution by natural supplement my mobile.....+2348025467313/+2348090560039
      • alagbe
        alagbe 3 mths ago
        call for health advice . we are now in time of bad intake of chemical food,we need to no what are to eat,what to use on our body of disease,most drugs had bad effect for our health +2348025467313/+2348090560039
      • alagbe
        alagbe 3 mths ago
        THE COMMON PROBLEM NOW IS STRESS AND IT RESULT TO HYPERTENSION,LOST OF MEMORY CAL FOR MORE ADVICE.+2348025467313/+2348090560039.
    • jeanette
      jeanette  •  San Antonio, Texas  •  3 mths ago
      it makes sense to stop eating the foods that cause ulcers instead of taking a pill to try to stop it, what about chemicals?...would you switch out your everyday household Items that are harmful to you and your family if you knew that these products cause symptoms anywhere from ear infections to cancer? JLOVE
     Post a comment
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