March 15, 2013 – The FDA has issued a Safety Communication to announce they are investigating the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with diabetes drugs in the incretin mimetic class, including Januvia, Janumet, Byetta, and more.
The FDA has never issued a warning about the risk of pancreatic cancer associated with these drugs, although there is growing concern about this devastating side effect.
In February, a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that diabetics who took drugs in the incretin mimetic class were twice as likely to suffer from acute pancreatitis (pancreas inflammation), which is a major risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer.
The researchers also collected tissue samples from the pancreas of patients who were taking the drugs and died of unspecified causes. They found pre-cancerous cellular changes called pancreatic duct metaplasias.
A metaplasia is any abnormal change in adult tissue, and it is a potential risk for neoplasia (proliferation of abnormal cells). The metaplasias were found in the pancreatic duct, which is concerning, because 75-80% of pancreatic cancers are pancreatic ductal carcinomas.
Although the FDA did not issue any new guidance regarding safety risks, they did announce that they would attend a workshop in June 2013 to further evaluate the potential risk:
“This early communication is intended only to inform the public and health care professionals that the Agency intends to obtain and evaluate this new information.”
Do I have a Pancreatic Cancer Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting incretin mimetic induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know had pancreatic cancer caused by a diabetes drug, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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