
FDA Probes Cancer Risk After Tumours Emerge In Children Treated With Novartis' SMA Gene Therapy
What Happened?
The FDA is investigating Novartis' Zolgensma gene therapy after tumors were found in children with spinal muscular atrophy. Two cases were directly linked to the treatment.
Key points
- The FDA is investigating Zolgensma after reports of tumors in treated children.
- Two children under two years old developed tumors linked to the therapy.
- Zolgensma is a one-time treatment for spinal muscular atrophy approved in 2019.
- The FDA reported cases of neoplasia, or tumor formation, associated with the therapy.
- Tumors were found in the brain, spine, and kidneys of affected children.
- Novartis has reported nine tumor cases since Zolgensma's approval.
Key insights
- The FDA's findings may lead to increased scrutiny of gene therapies.
- Parents of children treated with Zolgensma are advised to maintain regular check-ups.
- The situation raises questions about the transparency of safety data from Novartis.
Why it matters
The investigation could impact families considering Zolgensma for their children.
Entities
Source
Times Now


