A popular drug to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, Tasigna, has been linked with the development of a potentially life-threatening condition known as atherosclerosis.

What is Tasigna?

Tasigna, generically known as nilotinib, is a chemotherapy drug that has been approved to treat chronic myeloid leukemia. It has been approved since 2010 for use in adults who suffer from chronic myeloid leukemia. However, recently, it has been approved for pediatric use in children over the age of one for the same conditions.

It is a cancer drug that belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, or TKIs. TKIs block the growth of enzymes called tyrosine kinases. These enzymes signal for cells to grow, replicate and divide.

If a TKI drug, like Tasigna, inhibits tyrosine kinases, it can help stop the spread of cancer cells. In some cancer cells, these tyrosine kinases are too active or are found at high levels. Inhibition of these help stop the spread of cancers like chronic myeloid leukemia.

Tasigna is often prescribed when other medications do not work.

What is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a kind of cancer that begins forming in a person’s bone marrow. Researchers believe that if the DNA in a stem cell is damaged in a persons bone marrow, an “acquired mutation” occurs and this may develop into leukemia. Leukemia cells then replicate and survive longer than healthy cells.

Since the inception of TKIs, chronic myeloid leukemia is considered a manageable condition because the drug mechanism works so well. However, many patients are concerned with the growing risk of atherosclerosis in patients who take tyrosine kinase inhibitors like Tasigna.

Atherosclerosis Risk in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Recent studies report that patients who take TKIs like Tasigna are at an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, a life-threatening condition.

Many studies reveal that Tasigna is linked to the development of the condition that hardens, narrows and clogs the arteries of the body. This can cause peripheral arterial disease. Plaque buildup in the arteries causes restricted blood flow to the body including the heart, lungs and limbs. This fatty buildup is made up of fatty deposits and cells that stay in the arteries over many years.

Health Canada reports that for patients who take Tasigna, “the following side effects related to atherosclerosis have been reported during clinical trials: peripheral arterial occlusive disease (hardening and narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs), femoral artery stenosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries located in the upper thigh), coronary artery stenosis (narrowing or hardening of the arteries supplying the heart that causes angina (chest pain), carotid artery stenosis (narrowing or hardening of the carotid artery in the neck), and cerebrovascular accident (stroke).”

These cardiovascular problems can lead to heart attack, stroke, limb amputation and even death.

Patients who take Tasigna may not have been adequately warned that cardiovascular complications like atherosclerosis were a possibility. If you or someone you love takes Tasigna for chronic myeloid leukemia and have developed cardiovascular problems like atherosclerosis, you may benefit from speaking with an experienced attorney.