CardioExchange Archive

December 20th, 2013

Researching the Obvious: It Stinks to Have Cancer

Debra Lynne Sherman, BA

Editor’s note: Debra Sherman is an outstanding, exceptionally perceptive health reporter who asked me recently why it is that so many medical research findings seem so unimportant and obvious. She is facing a critical illness and needs research that is useful. Those of us who do research should be asking ourselves if there is real value in […]

---

August 5th, 2013

Deja Vu All Over Again: Study Links Calcium-Channel Blockers to Breast Cancer

Larry Husten, PHD

A new observational study raises the possibility that calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) may be associated with a higher risk for breast cancer. Although previous studies examining this relationship have failed to turn up convincing evidence of a link, the authors of a paper published in JAMA Internal Medicine state that their study is the first to look at […]

---

March 15th, 2013

FDA Studying Whether Certain Diabetes Drugs Pose Pre-Cancer Risk

The FDA is investigating whether diabetes drugs in the class known as incretin mimetics pose an increased risk for pancreatic duct metaplasia. The agency is looking at unpublished data on pancreatic toxicity in a small number of tissue samples taken from patients with diabetes who died. It will examine the researchers’ methodology and the samples firsthand […]

---

November 19th, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: November 19th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include multivitamins and cancer prevention in men, a comparison of atorvastatin with or without a PCSK9 Antibody in primary hypercholesterolemia, type-2 diabetes screening and population mortality over 10 years, and more.

---

November 7th, 2012

Statins Use Linked to Reduction in Cancer Mortality

Larry Husten, PHD

A large new study raises the possibility that statin use may lead to a decline in cancer mortality. Researchers in Denmark used health data from the entire population of the country and analyzed the information from nearly 300,000 patients who were diagnosed with cancer between 1995 and 2007. The authors note that the relationship is biologically […]

---

April 10th, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Literature Review: Week of April 10th

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include the EINSTEIN-PE trial of rivaroxaban, the risk for suicide or cardiovascular death after cancer diagnosis, and a comparison of computer reminders vs. pharmacist outreach about medication dangers.

---

April 4th, 2012

Suicide and CV Death Increase After Cancer Diagnosis

Larry Husten, PHD

The risks for suicide and cardiovascular death rise sharply after cancer is diagnosed, according to a new study from Sweden published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Fang Fang and colleagues analyzed data from more than 6 million Swedes, including more than half a million who received a first diagnosis of cancer. Following sharp initial increases in […]

---

March 20th, 2012

Meta-Analysis Adds New Evidence for Cancer Benefits of Daily Aspirin

Larry Husten, PHD

Although daily aspirin was originally proposed to reduce cardiovascular events, aspirin’s effects on cancer have become increasingly apparent while the vascular benefits, especially in primary prevention, have become less clear. Now a meta-analysis in the Lancet adds important new details to our understanding about the effects of aspirin and increases the evidence in support of a long-term beneficial […]

---

October 20th, 2011

EMA’s CHMP Finds No Cancer Link for ARBs

Larry Husten, PHD

Following the lead of the FDA earlier this year, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has completed a safety review of angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) and found no evidence of any increased risk of cancer associated with the drugs. The FDA and EMA safety reviews were initially prompted by a meta-analysis […]

---

June 9th, 2011

Pioglitazone (Actos) Suspended in France Over Cancer Concerns

Larry Husten, PHD

Sales of the popular diabetes drug pioglitazone (Actos, Takeda) have been suspended in France after a study carried out by the French health insurance fund (CNAM) found that it may increase the risk of bladder cancer. The French regulatory agency (AFSSAPS) said that new prescriptions for drugs containing pioglitazone may no longer be written, but […]

---