Man Gets Abortion Pill to Treat Cancer

A congressman says the abortion pill RU-486 has been obtained for a man who sought it as a treatment for an inoperable brain tumor, potentially setting a precedent for other non-abortion access to the controversial French drug.

“This is a real step forward,” said Rep. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), whose House subcommittee held hearings on the Food and Drug Administration’s ban on imports of the drug.

The FDA gave approval last week to importation of the drug as an experimental treatment in the case of John David Grow of Atlanta, who suffers from an aggressive recurrent meningioma, or tumor of the lining of the brain.

Wyden said Grow received the drug on Friday.

The French manufacturer, Roussel-Uclaf, had declined to provide the drug until the FDA approved its use in Grow’s case. That came after Grow testified July 28 before Wyden’s small business subcommittee on regulation.

FDA spokesman Gary Fendler said there are five other non-abortion test uses of the drug being conducted in the United States. Wyden said the Grow case demonstrates that the FDA “will have to spell out some clear rules to encourage research and to aggressively test this drug.”

“I believe this sets a precedent for non-abortion access to RU-486,” he said.

Opponents of the ban on RU-486 contend that it is an obstacle to research into potential new treatments of cancer and other diseases.

The government’s ban prompted seizure of the drug last month in New York when a woman entered the country intending to use her supply for an abortion.

Wyden contended that the FDA’s quick action following Grow’s testimony shows that it has the power to encourage experimental uses when it wishes to.

“What this really says is, the minute the FDA wants to be an advocate for those who are suffering and should have access to RU-486, the roadblocks start disappearing,” he said.

Fendler denied that the FDA was an obstacle or that the Grow case establishes a precedent.

“The FDA cannot order a company to give out the drug. We think the company made the right decision,” he said.

RU-486 is one of a group of hormone-blocking drugs known as antiprogestins that are thought to hold promise in the treatment of life-threatening diseases such as breast and brain cancer.