Eli-Lilly’s blood thinner, Effient, came on the market about one year ago to compete with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co’s product, Plavix as an anti-platelet medication. It has performed better than Plavix in clinical trials when it comes to preventing cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack. However, clinical trials indicate that Effient has a greater risk of bleeding events. Moreover, this week, two articles published in the Archives of Internal Medicine raise serious concerns that Effient may cause cancer.
The researchers analyzed data from a study that was key to FDA approval–Triton-Timi 38, which pitted Effient against its established rival Plavix–and found that the risk of new or worsened solid tumors was 60 percent higher with Effient (prasugrel).
An accompanying editorial calls for curtailed used of the drug, plus a boxed warning for Effient’s label. Dr. Sanjay Kaul–an advisory panel member excluded from the Effient meeting–and Dr. George Diamond, state they "believe that to optimize the benefit-risk balance, prasugrel use should be limited to a duration of weeks rather than months," until more clinical data are available.
The researchers, Dr. James Floyd of the University of Washington and Dr. Victor Serebruany of Johns Hopkins, posit that as an antiplatelet drug,Effient may promote cancer growth by inhibiting the body’s natural defenses against tumors.
Given the dangers of Effient and Plavix, I think I’ll stick with aspirin.
