Cancer TreatmentsBiphosphate Drugs: Aredia® (pamidronate) and Zometa® (zoledronic acid) are intravenous bisphosphonate drugs often prescribed to prevent bone pain, fracture and other skeletal complications in patients with cancer that has metastasized to the bone. Aredia® is FDA-approved for the treatment of hypercalcemia of malignancy ("HCM"), multiple myeloma, and osteolytic bone metastases associated with breast cancer. Zometa® is FDA-approved for the treatment of HCM and the treatment of multiple myeloma and bone metastases associated with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other solid tumor cancers. Aredia® and Zometa® are manufactured, marketed, and sold by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("NPC"), headquartered in New Jersey.
Over the last decade, cases have arisen involving claims by plaintiffs that Aredia® and Zometa® caused adverse effects, in particular osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Many cases involving Aredia® and Zometa® and ONJ claims are still pending as part of a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in a federal court in Tennessee and as part of centralized state court proceedings in New Jersey. [1] In Re: Aredia® and Zometa® Products Liability Litigation (M.D. Tennessee) (3:06-md-01760). [2] In re: Zometa/Aredia Litigation (Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County) (Case No. 278). Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer, also called androgen deprivation therapy or "ADT", can block the production and use of male sex hormones called androgens. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are the most abundant androgens in men. Androgens are required for the normal growth and function of the prostate, the gland that helps make semen. Androgens promote the growth of normal prostate cells, but also promote the growth of any cancerous cells. Early in their development, prostate cancers need relatively high levels of androgens to grow. Most prostate cancers, however, eventually become "castration resistant" to low levels of androgen and continue to grow even when androgen levels in the body are extremely low or undetectable. Because androgens are used by organs other than just the prostate, blocking the production of androgens (either with hormone therapy or by surgical castration) can have a wide range of effects including lowered libido, erectile dysfunction, hot flashes, loss of bone density, bone fractures, loss of muscle, changes in blood lipids, insulin resistance, weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, and growth of breast tissue. In addition, the drugs taken as part of hormone therapy can cause side effects:
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If you have experienced adverse events or side effects from hormone therapy find help here.
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