Class action investigators are analyzing product liability claims alleging Tasigna, a drug used for CML cancer treatment, has been linked to cardiovascular complications in patients.

Over a dozen studies have suggested that Tasigna may increase the risk of atherosclerosis. This condition occurs when the arteries harden or narrow in some way, which leads to peripheral arterial disease.

Patients who have undergone CML cancer treatment with Tasigna may suffer from swelling arteries and restriction of blood flow in the arms, legs, heart, brain, and other parts of the body. This can lead to a plethora of cardiac complications, limb amputations, and even death.

Tasigna is a popular chemotherapy drug often prescribed to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), by blocking proteins that promote cancer cell reproduction.

Approved by the FDA in 2007, Tasigna was initially approved to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia. Tasigna is the second CML cancer treatment drug developed by Novartis, after the patent for Gleevec expired.

Novartis is hoping that Tasigna will be approved to treat diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, after studies indicated an improvement of symptoms after treatment.

Overview of Tasigna CML Cancer Treatment and Atherosclerosis Correlation

However, recent studies have also suggested this CML cancer treatment drug may increase the risk of arteriosclerosis by causing plaque to built up in the arteries.

These studies have been published in prominent medical journals in the United States, Canada, and Europe, indicating that the Tasigna CML cancer treatment drug could cause plaque to build up in the arteries.

The first study to indicate this correlation was published in 2011, which found that 25% of patients prescribed Tasigna had experienced vascular problems and 16% had experienced peripheral arterial disease.

Just two years later in 2013, nine Tasigna atherosclerosis studies were published, which included a post market review from the FDA that analyzed injury reports from the United States, Canada, and Europe. According to the FDA, the findings “strongly suggest an association between nilotinib (Tasigna) and PAOD (peripheral arterial occlusive disease)”.

With this finding, the FDA finally required atherosclerosis be added to Tasigna’s warning label. Health Canada made a similar decision, and had released a public warning regarding the alleged correlation between the CML cancer treatment drug and this cardiovascular condition.

According to the announcement, a global review conducted between 2005 and 2013 had discovered 277 Tasigna atherosclerosis cases. However, this warning came too late to many patients with several already opting to file legal action against Novartis.

These claims state that Novartis either knew or should have known about the alleged correlation between arteriosclerosis and CML cancer treatment drug, but failed to warn the public.

More specifically, patients allege Novartis knew Tasigna could induce potentially fatal cardiovascular problems including but not limited to:

• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral Arterial Disease
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Circulation Problems in Legs, Arms, Heart or Brain
• Embolic Occlusion
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Infection
• Amputation
• Death