Potential Risk Detected in Amgen Drug

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One of Amgen Inc.’s most popular drugs for fighting infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy may slightly increase the risk of secondary blood cancers in certain breast cancer patients, a new study has found.


Columbia University researchers said older breast cancer patients who took the growth factor Neupogen had a 2 percent chance of developing acute myeloid leukemia or preleukemia (myelodysplastic syndrome), compared a 1 percent risk for those not given the drug.


The study, based on statistics obtained from a Medicare database, was published Wednesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Neupogen, which boosts white blood cell counts often depleted during chemotherapy, is Thousand Oaks-based Amgen’s second oldest drug. It had $221 million in worldwide sales in 2006.


Amgen spokeswoman Kristen Davis said the company takes seriously any questions concerning real or theoretical risks associated with its products, but pointed out that the study’s researchers themselves noted that the absolute risk remains small. Davis also noted one factor that might muddy the study’s findings: some chemotherapy drugs often used on breast cancer patients also have been linked to a similar risk.


This is the second recent study noting a potential cancer risk in patients using Neupogen. A French study published in last month’s Journal of Clinical Oncology detected a similar link.


Amgen shares closed up 34 cents to $70 on Wednesday.

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