Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb

  • Asbestos & Mesothelioma
  • Benzene Diseases
  • Camp Lejeune Cases
  • Drug Injury
  • Free Case Evaluation
  • About Us

Is The Risk Of Liver Cancer Increased From Use Of Harvoni Or Sovaldi?

January 19, 2017 By Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A.

As regards the liver cancer risks that have been mentioned in connection with the hepatitis C drugs Sovaldi and Harvoni, during the past nine months there have been mixed messages about whether there is an apparent side-effect situation or not.

We start our update on this still emerging drug safety issue with this April 2016 Medscape news report, “Liver Cancer Found in Hepatitis C Patients on New Antivirals”, from which we get this excerpt:

In a surprising number of patients with hepatitis C and cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma develops within weeks of starting treatment with direct-acting antivirals, new research suggests.

“I do not think that direct-acting antivirals are directly responsible,” said lead investigator Stefano Brillanti, MD, from the University of Bologna, Italy.

“The hypothesis is that immune surveillance may be reduced too rapidly,” he told Medscape Medical News. “You have an immediate drop in viremia, but also attenuation of inflammation. I think inflammation is a bad thing in terms of hepatitis progression, but it may be a good thing in terms of controlling cancer.”

Then we move forward to this November 2016 article published by PracticeUpdate as part of their Gastroenterology section, “Direct-Acting Antiviral Medications for Hepatitis C Virus Infection Do Not Raise Cancer Risk”, from which we get this more recent information:

Patients with hepatitis C who take direct-acting antiviral medications have been found to be at no higher risk of developing liver cancer than those who do not take the medication. If they do develop liver cancer, however, they might be at an increased risk of more aggressive, infiltrative patterns of cancer.

This finding of a retrospective database study was reported at The Liver Meeting 2016, from November 11 – 15.

Alfredo Alberti, MD, of the University of Padova, Italy, explained, “Data on clinical outcomes in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C treated with direct-acting antiviral agents are still scanty and controversial. This is the case concerning the development of a liver cancer, one of the most frequent and deadly complications of hepatitis C virus infection.”

We will continue to monitor the medical literature and watch for any drug regulatory agency action concerning the possible association between direct-acting antiviral hepatitis C drugs like Sovaldi and Harvoni with liver cancer diagnoses, be it the initial incidence or a recurrence of the hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Read this article in full at original source]

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Harvoni / Sovaldi / Viekira Pak

Free Case Evaluation

Strictly Confidential, No Obligation

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Filed Under: Unsafe Drugs Tagged With: Harvoni, Liver Cancer, Sovaldi

Find What You Want Here

Get Free Case Evaluation

We encourage you to submit an online Case Evaluation Form – it is confidential and there is no obligation.

Or call our toll-free number, 800-426-9535, to speak directly to attorney Tom Lamb about your possible case.

Feel Free To Contact Us

Quick Contact Form
 
Send an Email to Tom Lamb

(800) 426-9535

Main Navigation Menu

  • About Our Firm
  • Asbestos-Mesothelioma Cases
  • Benzene Disease Claims
  • PFAS Firefighter Gear Lawsuits
  • Camp Lejeune Cases
  • GenX Water Cancer Cases
  • Drug Injury Lawsuits
  • Breast Implant Cancer Cases
  • Philips Breathing Devices Cases
  • Case Evaluation Menu
  • Quick Contact Form
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Medical Records Charges
  • Collection of Articles
  • Sitemap

Lamb Law Office Newsletter

Lamb Law Office Newsletter provides periodic updates about some of the cases that we are working on for clients, as well as an information resource you might find helpful.

Subscribe using Form below.

Subscription Form

* indicates required

Our Other Websites

Drug Injury Law
Drug Injury Watch
Drug Safety Developments
Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Contact Information

Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A.
1908 Eastwood Road, Suite 225
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
910-256-2971 | 800-426-9535
TJL@LambLawOffice.com

  • Home
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Disclaimer and Copyright Notices

Copyright © 2023 · Law Offices of Thomas J. Lamb, P.A.