Canakinumab, reduces the danger of a second attack by 15%. This anti-inflammatory drug could reduce the risk of a heart attack.
The link between inflammation and the formation of plaques in the arteries that can lead to a heart attack has long been observed. A clinical trial of more than 10,000 patients in 40 countries has shown that an anti-inflammatory drug can reduce cardiovascular risk regardless of cholesterol level.
Canakinumab was initially developed against arthritis. The research gave the result: patients treated not only had their arteries clearer, they also had fewer cases of lung cancer than those who received a placebo substance.
Each dose of the drug that Novartis has developed costs $ 16,000 per dose, which is given by intravenous infusion. In addition, there is a 1% chance that this anti-inflammatory drug will produce a fatal infection, especially among elderly patients and diabetes. Physicians should still assess the benefits and risks of treatment.
It is probably decided to book this treatment for the most at risk patients.
Fuente: www.adn40.mx
