Breast Cancer - Is
Arimidex Better Than Tamoxifen? Panel Says Arimidex Should Be
Treatment of Choice in Some Postmenopausal Women
August 1st 2006
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Cancer Cell |
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New research shows that AstraZeneca’s new breast cancer drug, Arimidex,
is better tolerated than tamoxifen, the current gold standard
treatment. The study found that significantly fewer patients in the
Arimidex groups had adverse side effects related to their treatment or
that caused them to withdraw from treatment.
Reuters reported that Arimidex also had a significantly better
risk-benefit profile, taking into account both the chance that patients
would have a recurrence of breast cancer and any side effects.
PRnewswire reports that an international panel of breast cancer
specialists confirmed value of aromatase inhibitors (AI) such as Arimdex
(anastrozole) as a treatment of hormone receptor-positive early breast
cancer in postmenopausal women.
Dr. Aman Buzdar said "Over the last three years, there has been an
influx of new information about the use of aromatase inhibitors in early
breast cancer, and while this is great news, it has created a great deal
of confusion. This guidance helps to clarify considerations for use of
AIs in everyday practice. These data provide the evidence that support
using an aromatase inhibitor at the earliest opportunity." Buzdar is
professor of medicine for the department of breast medical oncology at
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
The panel even went as far as to say that AI’s are superior to tamoxifen
and should be considered the treatment of choice in postmenopausal women
with newly diagnosed hormone-sensitive, early breast cancer. They also
said tamoxifen treatment has been the standard of care for 20 years and
remains an effective treatment for certain patients; there is no
subgroup of patients who do not appear to benefit from initial AI
adjuvant therapy.
There is a downside to the AI treatment. The panel said there is an
increased risk of fractures are seen with AIs compared with tamoxifen,
but they appear to be predictable and manageable. AI therapy is also
associated with an increase in joint symptoms. The mechanisms explaining
these conditions are unknown.
There may be a relationship between AI and heart problems, but further
studies are needed. The panel says current evidence suggests that AIs
have either no or little effect on CHD and the presence of CHD should
not impact on the prescribing of AIs for adjuvant use. Further follow-up
is required to determine whether differences between the AIs exist.
Marsha Quinn
Writer
Books on Cancer
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