According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 39.5% of men and women will receive a cancer diagnosis at some point during their lifetimes. Cancer is a prevalent disease that claims the lives of hundreds of thousands each year. Common treatments to combat the spread of cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, transplants, immunotherapy, and medications. Researchers constantly devise new drug treatments to combat cancer. In 2021, the FDA approved 16 cancer drugs, one of which was Ukoniq. However, after a brief time on the market, clinical trials linked Ukoniq with an increased risk of death. Speak with an attorney at The Lake Law Firm to learn more about how a Ukoniq lawsuit can benefit you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who took Ukoniq to treat two specific types of lymphoma. Ukoniq may cause an increased rate of death in patients with cancer.
Lymphoma is a form of cancer that targets the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow. There are 70 types of lymphoma, and medical professionals divide them into two groups: non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma. Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and follicular lymphoma are two rare types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Marginal zone lymphoma and follicular lymphoma originate in white blood cells called lymphocytes. The FDA approved Ukoniq in February 2021 to treat these cancers. Doctors prescribed Ukoniq to adults with MZL if the disease returned or failed to respond to a previous treatment regimen. Also, patients with follicular lymphoma received Ukoniq if the disease returned or did not respond to three previous treatment regimens.
Ukoniq belongs to a class of medications known as PI₃ kinase inhibitors, which prevent an abnormal protein from triggering the production of cancer cells.
Ukoniq received FDA approval through the agency’s Accelerated Approval program. However, the FDA stated that the drug’s future availability depended upon clinical trials to support the safety and effectiveness of the cancer drug. In February 2022, the FDA announced that initial clinical trials suggested an increased risk of death in patients taking Ukoniq. Due to the results, the agency urged healthcare providers and patients to reassess the risks of Ukoniq against its potential benefits. Another clinical trial known as the UNITY trial explored data in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The results demonstrated an increased risk of death and other serious side effects in patients who took Ukoniq in combination with a monoclonal antibody. The FDA believes that the results of this trial may have implications for patients taking Ukoniq to treat MZL and FL.
In June 2022, the FDA withdrew its approval of Ukoniq. Based on clinical trials, the FDA concluded that the potential risks associated with Ukoniq outweighed the benefits. The agency stated that healthcare providers should stop prescribing Ukoniq and switch patients to alternative treatments.
Ukoniq has been linked with an increased rate of infection and may potentially result in death.
An FDA warning, issued on February 3, 2022, stated that the agency was evaluating the side effects of Ukoniq and conducting a risk-benefit analysis of the medication in light of the results of clinical trials. However, the agency finally rescinded its approval of the drug after clinical trials found an increased risk of death linked to Ukoniq. The manufacturers of Ukoniq, TG Therapeutics, voluntarily removed the drug after the findings.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries after taking Ukoniq, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Although cancer treatments often produce uncomfortable side effects, the treatment should overall benefit the patients. Ukoniq lawsuits allege that families endured wrongful deaths after their loved ones took the cancer drug. We recognize that financial compensation cannot make up for your loss, but our helpful team is on standby to speak with you about your potential claim. Don’t hesitate to reach out and discuss the details of your situation with one of our Ukoniq attorneys.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.