FDA OKs cancer therapy to treat multiple sclerosis

Herald staff

SEATTLE — Immunex Corp. gained approval for doctors to use a cancer drug as the first treatment for people with crippling late-stage multiple sclerosis.

The Food and Drug Administration approved mitoxantrone, to be sold under the name Novantrone, for patients with the secondary progressive form of the disease. In these patients, the drug reduced the frequency of flare-ups and slowed the progression of disability. The FDA warned, however, that some patients using the drug can develop serious heart problems, a risk that increases with the cumulative doses.

  • Friday’s prices: Gold sold for $273.25 a troy ounce, silver for $4.935 and platinum for $591.30.

  • Dell laptop batteries: Dell Computer Corp. recalled 27,000 notebook computer batteries Friday, saying they could short-circuit and catch fire. The latest recall involves only certain Sanyo Electric batteries, not the computers. Customers should call Dell or visit www.support.dell.com/battery.

  • Infant seats: Century Products Co. recalled 4 million infant car seats Friday because they have defective handles that can break and cause serious injury to babies. Century is providing free replacement handles to consumers who call the company’s toll-free hotline at 800-865-1419.

  • Airwaves getting crowded: The promise of new generations of handheld devices and phones that receive high-speed video and data is bumping up against limits imposed by overcrowded airwaves. To ease the congestion, President Clinton directed federal agencies Friday to determine whether existing government, including the military, and commercial users can be relocated from these frequencies so they can be used to offer new wireless services worldwide.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Local News

    Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

    Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

    Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

    Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

    Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

    Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

    x
    Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

    The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

    Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

    A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

    Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

    Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

    People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

    The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

    Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
    Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

    The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

    The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

    The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

    The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
    Northshore School District bond improvements underway

    The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

    Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
    Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

    The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

    A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

    Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.