Reported Cancers Are Uncommon in Children, Associated with Immunosuppression
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of malignancies in children using tumor necrosis factor • (TNF) blockers, raising concerns of an associated risk and prompting an investigation. Researchers from the FDA set out to identify all reports of malignancy in children using infliximab, etanercept, and adalimumab and their report is published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology.
The FDA has approved 3 TNF blockers for use in children: Etanercept to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA); infliximab to treat Crohn's disease; and adalimumab to treat JIA. Data suggest that certain adult populations may be at an increased risk of malignancy with TNF blocker therapy. The immunosuppressive properties of TNF blockers may also increase the risk of malignancy in children, but to what extent is unclear.