New research suggests that chemotherapy drug Tasigna may cause atherosclerosis, a vascular condition that may be deadly.

What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis
is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries, or the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This damage slowly blocks the arteries, making blood flow more difficult.

Artery blood vessels are lined with a thin layer of cells called the endothelium, which keep the inside of the vessels smooth so that blood can easily flow through them. It is these cells that are first affected by atherosclerosis. This condition allows bad cholesterol to break through the damaged endothelium and enter the wall of the artery.

Over time, this bad cholesterol builds up and causes plaque to form on the cells. This plaque creates a bump on the wall of the artery, which gets larger as the condition progresses. As the plaque increases, it can eventually cause a blockage and result in constricted blood flow.

What are the Dangers of Atherosclerosis?

Blood restriction caused by atherosclerosis may result in heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. Together, these conditions are known as cardiovascular disease. Restricted blood flow also often results in pain in the chest or legs. In severe cases, plaques in the arteries may suddenly rupture and allow blood clots to form inside of the arteries. This can cause a stroke if it happens in the brain, or a heart attack if it occurs in the heart.

What Can Cause Atherosclerosis?

There are several risk factors for developing atherosclerosis. It often starts with damage in the inner layers of arteries. This damage may be caused by many different factors, including high cholesterol or high blood pressure, smoking, inflammation from diseases such as arthritis or lupus. A higher risk of atherosclerosis has been linked to certain medications, like the leukemia drug Tasigna.

What is Tasigna?

Tasigna
is a chemotherapy medication used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that begins in the bone marrow. It is one of the most widely used cancer drugs in the world, and it has been on the market for over a decade. In 2016, Tasigna made over $1.7 billion in sales worldwide.

What are the Possible Side Effects of Tasigna?

More than a dozen studies have discovered evidence that Tasigna may cause atherosclerosis by causing the arteries to swell, and causing problems with the body’s blood circulation. In 2013, nine studies linking the drug with the condition were published, including a postmarket review from the FDA.

Side effects of Tasigna may include:

• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary artery disease
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Infections
• Circulatory issues
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Amputation
• Death

If you or a loved one has taken Tasigna as part of a cancer treatment regimen and have suffered circulatory or cardiovascular issues including atherosclerosis, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, wrongful death, or more.