Multiple sclerosis drug could have further links to cancer

Written by Alice Weatherston

A study published in Neurology has revealed a potential link between the multiple sclerosis (MS) drug, termed mitoxantrone, and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Mitoxantrone was first developed as a chemotherapy drug, acting by suppressing the immune system. It is now utilized for aggressive forms of relapsing-remitting or progressive MS that are unresponsive to other drugs, however this use has remained in a limited capacity due to previous research highlighting an increased risk of leukemia and heart damage in patients receiving the drug. In the current study, carried out at the University of Würzburg (Germany), researchers sought to identify...

To view this content, please register now for access

It's completely free