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Could medications that have provided relief for many with Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis raise the risk of lung cancer? A case report published in the New England Journal of Medicine has again raised awareness: physicians and patients need to be aware of possible risks, including cancer, with these drugs and be watchful.
This case involved an ex-smoker, who developed stage 4 lung cancer after being treated with two medications classified as anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs. Several years after treatment was initiated, she was diagnosed with lung cancer and given a very poor prognosis of only several months. When her TNF medication was discontinued, her lung cancer resolved without treatment (she did not undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy for lung cancer,) and after 2 years, had no detectable signs of cancer.
Due to the way these drugs work in the body, concern has been raised previously about a side effect of predisposing people to cancer, especially lymphoma. Yet, for many people with Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, these drugs have been “miracle drugs,” providing significant improvement in quality of life. What this study reminds us of, is that physicians and patients need to work together and weigh the risks and benefits of any treatment, and in particular, to be mindful of the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor medications in former smokers.
Medications classified as anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) drugs include:
Source:
Resolution of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer after Withdrawal of Anti-TNF Therapy. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2008. 359:320-321.
