RESEARCH - ACR: no cancer risk with TNF-inhibitors for RA

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ACR: No Cancer Risk with TNF-Inhibitors for Rheumatoid Arthritis

By Crystal Phend, Staff Writer, MedPage Today

Published: October 29, 2008

Reviewed by Jasmer, MD; Associate Clinical Professor of

Medicine, University of California, San Francisco Earn CME/CE credit

for reading medical news

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 29 -- Biologic therapies for rheumatoid arthritis

do not increase cancer risks despite concerns that inhibiting tumor

necrosis factor has that potential, Spanish researchers found.

Exposure to biologics had no impact on cancer incidence in Spain's

national drug registry for biologics after adjustment for factors such

as age, sex, and arthritis characteristics, Lydia Abásolo, M.D., of

the Hospital Clinico San in Madrid, and colleagues reported at

the American College of Rheumatology meeting here.

And in the unadjusted analysis, biologics actually were protective

against cancer (incidence rate ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval

0.29 to 0.70).

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Read the full article here:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ACR/11522

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