St. Louis, MO (PRWEB) October 28, 2014
The results of a new testosterone study have revealed a possible link between testosterone replacement therapies like Androgel and cancer growth, report attorneys handling testosterone lawsuits at The Onder Law Firm. The study, Testosterone Treatment is a Potent Tumor Promoter for the Rat Prostrate, was published in the journal Endocrinology on September 23, 2014.* Testosterone is already being examined by the FDA for its tendency to cause heart attack and stroke.** A potential risk for cancer adds to the threat of heart attack and stroke already faced by testosterone users.
The study, authored by Maarten Bosland of the University of Illinois, examined the effect of testosterone treatment on rat’s prostate cancer rates. Researchers injected some rats with a known carcinogen only, other rats with just testosterone, and a third group with both the carcinogen and testosterone. None of the rats developed cancer with the carcinogen only. Of the group that was exposed solely to testosterone, 10-18% developed cancer. But the rats that were exposed to both the carcinogen and testosterone concurrently exhibited a 50-71% rate of prostate cancer. Bosland concluded that the testosterone worked as a “strong promoter” of prostrate tumor growth in the rats, according to the study.
Testing on cancer rates and testosterone therapy have not yet been conducted in humans. To date, the known risks associated with testosterone therapy include those for heart attack and stroke resulting from arterial blood clots**, and various health conditions arising from venous blood clots including deep vein thrombosis***. Both of these conditions are the subject of FDA Drug Safety Communications issued during 2014.
This new information has been revealed as testosterone treatment continues to grow in popularity; according to an article in Time, experts project that the testosterone therapy industry will swell to $5 billion by the year 2017.**** While testosterone is prescribed for genuine hypogonadism (lack of natural testosterone in the body), it is also being given to men to offset normal symptoms of aging, such as a waning libido and lessening energy, according to the article. The new research suggesting a link between supplemental testosterone and cancer growth adds a new layer to the concern over the safety of the treatment, states the article.
Many men who have suffered from cardiovascular incidents including heart attack and stroke have already filed testosterone lawsuits, and more are joining each month. These lawsuits have been combined as a multi-district litigation in U.S. District Court in Northern Illinois. The case, MDL No. 2545 – In Re: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation, currently includes 328 plaintiffs, according to court documents from October 20, 2014. These plaintiffs suffered from heart attack, stroke, or another cardiovascular problem while taking a testosterone supplement drug, according to court documents. These cases include persons who have taken a wide variety of testosterone drugs, including but not limited to Androgel, Androderm, and Testim, according to court documents.
Attorneys handling national testosterone lawsuits believe that men and the families of men who experienced heart attack or stroke while taking testosterone may be entitled to real compensation by filing a testosterone lawsuit. Nationally respected for its superior work in drug and product safety litigation against multi-billion dollar corporations, The Onder Law Firm has committed its significant resources to providing expert legal representation men and the family members of men seeking to file testosterone lawsuits. Individuals and family members of individuals who meet this description are entitled to a no-cost, no-obligation consultation through the firm’s Androgel Testosterone Lawsuit Center website.
The Onder Law Firm welcomes testosterone lawsuit or other testosterone case inquiries from law firms in regards to handling them or working as co-counsel.
About The Onder Law Firm
Onder, Shelton, O’Leary & Peterson, LLC is a St. Louis based personal injury law firm handling serious injury and death claims across the country. Its mission is the pursuit of justice, no matter how complex the case or strenuous the effort. The pharmaceutical and medical device litigators at The Onder Law Firm have represented thousands of Americans in lawsuits against multinational conglomerates from products liability for manufacture of defective or dangerous products to deceptive advertising practices. Other firms throughout the nation often seek its experience and expertise on complex litigation. It is also a recognized leader in products liability cases such as window blind cord strangulation. The Onder Law Firm offers information from attorneys handling testosterone lawsuits at http://www.AndrogelTestosteroneLawsuitCenter.com.
*press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/en.2014-1688
**fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm383904.htm 1/31/2014
***fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm401746.htm 6/19/2014
****time.com/3490191/testosterone-prostate-cancer/ 10/15/2014