Abstract: This case report presents a 60-year-old gentleman with a significant smoking history and possible asbestos exposure who was referred to the emergency department for atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular rate and symptoms of heart failure. Labs showed normal brain natriuretic peptide and troponin I. His echocardiography finding … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2022
Ukoniq Withdrawn From Market Due to Increased Risk of Patient Deaths
The drug company responsible for the lymphoma medicine Ukoniq (umbralisib), TG Therapeutics, indicated in April 2022 that Ukoniq was withdrawn from the market due to an increased risk of death in patients using Ukoniq. This April 15, 2022 Dow Jones piece, “TG Therapeutics Pulls Sole Product Ukoniq Amid Increased Death Risk”, summarizes why … [Read more...]
Health Canada Breast Implant Safety Review Shows High Risk of BIA-ALCL with Textured Implants
A recent Health Canada safety advisory comes following an updated safety review of breast implants and the associated risk of BIA-ALCL. According to the April 6, 2022 Health Canada advisory "Advisory - Updated safety review of breast implants underscores the continuing importance of monitoring for cancer; increased risk with highly textured … [Read more...]
Abemaciclib for Previously Treated Patients With p16ink4A-Deficient Mesothelioma
As reported in The Lancet Oncology by Dean A. Fennell, FRCP, and colleagues, a phase II trial (MiST2) showed the activity of [ Verzenio (abemaciclib) ] in previously treated patients with p16ink4A-deficient malignant mesothelioma. As stated by the investigators, “Genetically stratified therapy for malignant mesothelioma is unavailable. … [Read more...]
MS Drugs Ocrevus and Gilenya Linked to Melanoma, Other Skin Cancers
Multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs Ocrevus and Gilenya have been linked to melanoma, with Gilenya linked to squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, also. These new drug safety findings come from an analysis of skin cancer cases reported to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) for patients receiving certain multiple sclerosis (MS) … [Read more...]
EPA rule would finally ban asbestos, carcinogen still in use
The Environmental Protection Agency [(EPA)] on Tuesday proposed a rule to finally ban asbestos, a carcinogen that is still used in some chlorine bleach, brake pads and other products and kills thousands of Americans every year. The proposal marks a major expansion of [ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ] regulation under a landmark 2016 law … [Read more...]