Archive for the ‘Cancer’ Category

Latest study shows anemia drugs Epogen, Aranesp and Procrit cause strokes, says FDA

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Anemia drugs sold by Amgen and Johnson & Johnson have been reported to cause strokes when prescribed in high doses, according to an article from the FDA, recently published in the The New England Journal of Medicine. The law firm of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz is investigating the FDA’s recent announcement.

The FDA commentary said the latest study and previous studies “raise major concerns” about the use of these drugs to treat anemia caused by kidney disease. The drugs are also used to treat anemia caused by chemotherapy. Studies over the past several years have revealed a link between the drugs and heart attacks, strokes, and other problems.

Amgen’s anemia drugs include Epogen and Aranesp. Johnson & Johnson sells anemia drug Procrit, which is produced by Amgen. The drugs are designed to raise red blood cell levels, to promote delivery of oxygen to body tissues.

According to the FDA, results from the most recent clinical trial that showed people taking one of the drugs suffered twice as many strokes as those on placebo (a substance with no effects that a doctor gives to study participants instead of a drug, for comparison with those on the drug). Study participants also showed no significant benefits from taking the drug. Those taking the drugs had just as many deaths and cardiovascular problems as those taking placebo in the study.

FDA officials said they will ask an outside advisory committee to re-evaluate use of the Amgen and Johnson & Johnson anemia drugs.

Since 2007, the FDA has held three advisory panel meetings on these drugs and has changed the labels of the drugs to warn of risks and lower the doses used.

Sales of one of the drugs, Aranesp, reached $4.1 billion in 2006, but are expected to decline to below $3 billion following the study results discussed in the FDA commentary. Use of the Johnson & Johnson and Amgen anemia drugs has been falling since 2007, when studies showed that the drugs might cause heart attacks and strokes and might worsen the condition of cancer patients.

The most recent study cited in the FDA commentary was a study called “Treat,” published Oct. 30 in The New England Journal of Medicine. The trial showed the drugs failed to help people. Trial results also shows that those taking Aranesp suffered twice as many strokes as those taking only placebo.

Doctors outside the FDA are also advising caution in use of the drugs. Dr. Ajay K. Singh of Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School said because of “the remarkable observations from the Treat study,” doctors should avoid use of the drugs in any patients except those undergoing dialysis.

A Medicare advisory panel is scheduled to meet in March to discuss coverage of use of these anemia drugs.  Medicare is already changing coverage to encourage less use of such drugs, according to agency officials.

If you have any information relating to injuries sustained by a consumer as described herein, please contact the litigation team of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz for an immediate, free consultation regarding your legal rights – toll free at: 877-810-4808.

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Posted in Anemia Drugs, Cancer, Defective Drugs, FDA warnings, heart attacks, stroke | No Comments »

Remicade side effects linked to Cancer in Children

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

In August 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a “black box” warning for several arthritis and inflammatory drugs, including Humira, Remicade, Simponi and Enbrel. The black box warning – the sternest required by the FDA – follows reports linking the arthritis and inflammatory drugs to an increased risk of cancer in children and adolescents.

Prescribed to children to treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disorder or Crohn’s disease, the drugs neutralize a protein that causes inflammation and tissue damage.

The FDA discovered that children who take the medications for two and a half years or longer are at a heightened risk of developing cancer. Of the several dozen reports of cancer in children taking one of the four medications, more than half developed lymphomas, a type of cancer that affects the immune system.

The drugs are some of the best-selling products of Abbott Laboratories, Amgen Incorporated, Wyeth, and Johnson and Johnson, earning their respective companies billions of dollars in revenue. In 2008 alone, Enbrel sales totaled $3.4 billion.

Parents of children who are taking Humira, Remicade, Simponi or Enbrel and develop cancer may be eligible to file a defective drug case against the drugs’ manufacturers.

The skilled attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis and Overholtz are there for victims during these hard times to help them fight against defective drug manufacturers that have cost families financial burdens and emotional distress. Contact AWKO Law today to review your case.

Posted in Cancer | No Comments »

Florida Court Approves $600 Million Engle Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Florida Tobacco Litigation – Engle Trust Fund
Florida smokers and families of those who died may qualify to participate in the Engle Trust Fund of approximately $600 Million dollars. The Florida Engle Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund was set up for the benefit of former Engle Class Members when the tobacco companies wanted to appeal the jury’s unprecedented verdict of $145 billion in damages. Pledging the money allowed the manufacturers to appeal such a large verdict without posting a potentially bankrupting appeal bond. Under the agreement the tobacco manufacturers would set aside a fund of more than $700 million to compensate proper members of the Class, even in the event that the Engle Plaintiffs lost their judgment on appeal. The Florida Supreme Court struck down the jury’s award in 2006.

Judge David C. Miller signed a notice on April 18, 2008, setting the registration deadline for June 16, 2008. People seeking damages must submit contemporaneous, verifiable proof of a tobacco related illness by August 1, 2008 in order to be eligible under the fund.

If you or a loved one have suffered, presently suffer, or have died from a disease and/or medical condition caused by addiction to smoking cigarettes that contained nicotine if, you may be eligible to participate in the Engle Trust Fund. The disease or medical condition must have been first diagnosed or first manifested itself on or before November 21, 1996.
The lawyers of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz are here to help. Contact us at 888-255-AWKO or via the web at www.awkolaw.com to learn about your legal rights.

Posted in Cancer, Tobacco | No Comments »

Black Box Warnings for Anemia drugs Aranesp, Epogen and Procrit due to cancer growth

Friday, March 7th, 2008

According to an AP story, the FDA has required a Black box warning, the most serious warning available for anemia drugs marketed by Amgen Inc. and Johnson & Johnson. The new warnings include advisories regarding the risk of death and tumor growth in patients with certain types of cancer, including breast cancer and cervical cancer. Amgen’s Aranesp and Epogen are implicated in these cancer risks, as well as Procrit, made by Johnson & Johnson. According to the news story and FDA release, the drugs treat the blood-disorder anemia in patients with kidney failure or who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Interestingly, the addition of the Black Box Drug warning is just before a meeting next week where the FDA advisory committee will review the risks of these anemia drugs.

It is speculated that the FDA could order a recall of all such anemia drugs or a separate Aranesp recall, Epogen recall, or Procrit recall.

The justice attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz are investingating cases of anemia drugs causing tumor growth, cancer growth and cancer death in anemia patients or those undergoing cancer treatment. If you or a loved one would wlike more information about Aranesp lawsuits , Epogen lawsuits, or Procrit lawsuits, please visit the anemia drug black box website or to find an anemia drug lawyer, visit www.awkolaw.com.

Posted in Anemia Drugs, Cancer | No Comments »

Wyeth and Pfizer hit with $26 Million Dollars in Punitive Damages in Hormone replacement therapy trial for woman with breast cancer from use of Premarin and Progestin

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

In a trial before Judge Wilson in the United States District Court in Little Rock, Arkansas, a jury has added on to a compensatory damage award of 2.7 Million dolars, with $26 Million Dollars in punitive damages against Wyeth and Pfizer, who manufactured and marketed two compenents of a common combination of hormone replacement therapy used in menopausal women. Wyeth manufactures premarin (containing estrogen) and Prempro (a combination of estrogen and progesterone) and Pfizer manufactured Provera, which contained progesterone. A study published in July of 2002, pointed to clear link between hormone replacement and breast cancer. This link has been documented in multiple epidemiological studies published since 2002.

The justice attorneys of Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz have been actively accepting Prempro breast cancer cases where it can be shown that the cancer is hormone sensitive breast cancer. If you would like more information about hormone replacement breast cancer litigation, please visit the hormone therapy lawyer website or the hormone replacement breast cancer defective drug website.

Posted in Cancer, Firm News, Hormone Replacement Therapy | No Comments »