MedWorm: Arimidex

Anastrozole: Arthralgia and genital bleeding, treated with Kampo medicines: case report

Reactions — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:29:54 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Feb 2, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Tamoxifen and anastrozole as a sequencing strategy in postmenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer

NeLM - News — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: JCO Area: News The authors of this paper present the 5-year outcome analysis of Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group 8 (ABCSG-8). The ABCSG-8 study ABCSG-8 is a prospective, multicentre randomised, open-label study comparing 5 years of tamoxifen (TAM) treatment with 2 years of TAM followed by 3 years of anastrozole (ANA). Study participants were in the low- to moderate-risk group of endocrine receptor positive, postmenopausal patients with breast cancer not receiving any other systemic therapy. Random assignment occurred immediately after surgery, and no (neo) adjuvant chemotherapy was allowed. Both groups of patients were treated with an initial 2 years of tamoxifen (TAM) and sequenced to anastrozole (ANA) versus TAM for an additional 3 years. The primary ...

Pharmacokinetic Comparison of 2 Formulations of Anastrozole (1 mg) in Healthy Korean Male Volunteers: A Randomized, Single-Dose, 2-Period, 2-Sequence, Crossover Study.

Clinical Therapeutics — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The test and reference formulations had similar PK parameters and similar plasma concentration-time profiles. The test formulation of anastrozole met the Korean regulatory criteria (AUC and C(max)) for assuming bioequivalence. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01105299. PMID: 22281018 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Therapeutics)

Anastrozole/pravastatin: Liver injury in an elderly patient: case report

Reactions — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:35:21 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Neoadjuvant anastrozole vs. tamoxifen in patients receiving goserelin for premenopausal breast cancer (STAGE): RCT

NeLM - News — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Lancet Oncology Area: News Aromatase inhibitors have shown increased efficacy compared with tamoxifen in postmenopausal early breast cancer. This RCT assessed the efficacy and safety of anastrozole versus tamoxifen in premenopausal women (ER-positive, HER2-negative, operable disease with WHO performance status ?2) receiving goserelin for early breast cancer in the neoadjuvant setting. The study randomised 197 patients to goserelin 3.6 mg/month plus either anastrozole 1mg per day and tamoxifen placebo (n= 98) or tamoxifen 20mg per day and anastrozole placebo (n= 99) for 24 weeks before surgery. The primary endpoint was best overall tumour response (complete response or partial response), assessed by callipers, during the 24-week neoadjuvant treatment period for the inten...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Jan 20, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Health-related quality of life, psychological distress, and adverse events in postmenopausal women with breast cancer who receive tamoxifen, exemestane, or anastrozole as adjuvant endocrine therapy: National Surgical Adjuvant Study of Breast Cancer 04 (N-SAS BC 04)

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:49:30 +0100

Abstract Health-related quality of life (HRQOL), symptoms of depression, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between Japanese postmenopausal patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer (BC) who received adjuvant tamoxifen, exemestane, or anastrozole in an open-labeled, randomized, multicenter trial designated as the National Surgical Adjuvant Study of Breast Cancer (N-SAS BC) 04 substudy of the Tamoxifen Exemestane Adjuvant Multinational (TEAM) trial. During the first year of treatment, HRQOL and symptoms of depression were analyzed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) and its Endocrine Symptom Subscale (ES), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), respectively. In addition, predefined AEs were analyzed. A total ...

Acute testosterone deprivation reduces insulin sensitivity in men

Clinical Endocrinology — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 02:18:41 +0100

Conclusions Acute testosterone withdrawal reduces insulin sensitivity in men independent of changes in body weight, whereas estradiol withdrawal has no effect. Testosterone appears to maintain insulin sensitivity in normal men. (Source: Clinical Endocrinology)

[News] 34th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium

The Lancet Oncology — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer given first-line treatment of fulvestrant (F) and anastrozole (A) have a better progression-free survival (PFS) than those given anastrozole alone (median PFS 15 vs 13·5 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0·80, 95%CI 0·68–0·94; p=0·007) reported Rita S Mehta (Irvine, CA, USA). The benefit was particularly seen in the 60% of patients (n=414) who had not received previous adjuvant tamoxifen (median PFS 12·6 [A]vs 17·0 months [F+A]; HR 0·74, 0·59–0·92). However, there were three deaths in the fulvestrant group and two grade 4 toxicities compared with no deaths and four grade 4 toxicities in the anastrozole alone group. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

International consensus and practical guidelines on the gynecologic and obstetric management of female patients with hereditary angioedema caused by C1 inhibitor deficiency

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A consensus for the management of female patients with HAE-C1-INH is presented. (Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Effect of baseline serum vitamin D levels on aromatase inhibitors induced musculoskeletal symptoms: results from the IBIS-II, chemoprevention study using anastrozole

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:42:12 +0100

Abstract Severe deficiency of vitamin D in adults can cause musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and joint discomfort. Musculoskeletal symptoms similar to those associated with vitamin D deficiency are frequently seen in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitors (AIs). This is presumably due to oestrogen deficiency caused by AIs. However, no data are available on serum levels of vitamin D and their relation to developing musculoskeletal symptoms/arthralgia in women receiving an AI. IBIS-II is a multicentre randomized placebo controlled trial of the AI, anastrozole, in postmenopausal women aged 40–70 years, who are at increased risk of breast cancer. Serum vitamin D levels were measured for 416 participants. The samples were sent for assays in three ...

Systematic review and economic analysis: Lapatinib and trastuzumab in combination with an aromatase inhibitor for first-line treatment of metastatic hormone receptor

NeLM - Drug Specific Reviews — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Area: Evidence > Drug Specific Reviews This systematic review conducted by researchers with the NHS Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme examined the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of lapatinib (LAP) in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) and trastuzumab (TRA) in combination with an AI for the first-line treatment of patients who have hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor 2-positive (HER2+) metastatic breast cancer. A search for literature was conducted until May 2010 and three trials were included in the systematic review: 1. lapatinib combined with letrozole (EGF30008 trial) 2. trastuzumab combined with anastrozole (TAnDEM trial) 3. letrozole combined with trastuzumab (eLEcTRA tr...

Preventive effect of risedronate on bone loss and frailty fractures in elderly women treated with anastrozole for early breast cancer

Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:14:26 +0100

In conclusion, anastrozole treatment for EBC in elderly women seems to have only mild negative effects on the femoral bone. Risedronate makes the use of anastrozole safer, even for osteopenic or osteoporotic elderly patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s00774-011-0341-1Authors Giuseppe Sergi, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, ItalyGiulia Pintore, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, ItalyCristina Falci, Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV), IRCCS, Padua, ItalyNicola Veronese, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, ItalyLinda Berton, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Padua, ItalyEgle Perissinotto,...

PAM50 Gene Signature Can Estimate Residual Risk of Recurrence in Hormone Receptor–Positive Patients Treated With Endocrine Therapy

Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:41:41 +0100

Capsule Summary - In this large-scale comparison of predictors of disease recurrence, the PAM50 risk of recurrence score was significantly associated with 10-year risk of distant recurrence following treatment with anastrozole or tamoxifen and provided a greater level of additional prognostic information than the 21-gene recurrence score. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

Anastrozole With Fulvestrant Can Lengthen Lives Of Women With ER+ Metastatic Breast Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0100

Post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer may have a new treatment option that could lengthen their lives, according to results of a study by the SWOG clinical trials network that were presented at the 2011 CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. The combination of the two anti-estrogen drugs anastrozole and fulvestrant used in the SWOG S0226 trial extended the median survival time of women with breast cancer by more than six months compared to those who underwent standard treatment with anastrozole alone (47.7 months vs 41.3 months)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

SWOG S0226: Adding Fulvestrant to Anastrozole Improves Survival in Postmenopausal Women With HR-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:21:32 +0100

Capsule Summary - In contrast to results from the randomized phase III FACT study, first-line anastrozole plus fulvestrant in this SWOG study was associated with significant increases median PFS and OS vs anastrozole alone in women with HR-positive MBC. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

Everolimus in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive advanced breast cancer: RCT

NeLM - News — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: N Engl J Med Area: News The study of resistance to endocrine therapies in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer has aimed at identifying new therapeutic strategies that would enhance the efficacy of endocrine therapies. An emerging mechanism of endocrine resistance is activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) intracellular signaling pathway. Everolimus inhibits mTOR and in early studies, showed antitumor activity when added to endocrine therapy. The phase III randomised BOLERO-2 study compared everolimus and exemestane with exemestane and placebo in 724 patients (median age was 62 years) with hormone- receptor-positive advanced breast cancer who had recurrence or progression while receiving previous therapy with a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor in the ...

Antiestrogen Combo New Standard for Metastatic Breast Cancer?Antiestrogen Combo New Standard for Metastatic Breast Cancer?

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:17:56 +0100

Anastrozole and fulvestrant used in combination might become the standard of care for hormone receptor-positive women with metastatic breast cancer. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Anti-estrogen combo better than single drug for hormone-sensitive breast cancer

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Michigan Health System) A phase III study by the SWOG clinical trials network shows new treatment combining anastrozole and fulvestrant can lengthen lives of post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Outcomes of Japanese breast cancer patients treated with pre‐ and post‐operative anastrozole or tamoxifen

Cancer Science — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

SummaryTo examine long‐term efficacy outcomes in a subgroup of postmenopausal, estrogen receptor‐positive, Japanese, breast cancer patients, from the Pre‐Operative ‘Arimidex’® Compared with Tamoxifen trial, following pre‐operative (3 months) and post‐operative (5 years) adjuvant treatment with either anastrozole or tamoxifen.Patients with large, potentially operable, locally‐advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive anastrozole (1 mg/day) plus tamoxifen placebo or tamoxifen (20 mg/day) plus anastrozole placebo pre‐operatively. After surgery at 3 months, patients continued on the same study medication as adjuvant therapy for up to 5 years or until recurrence, intolerable toxicity, or withdrawal of patient consent. Recurrence‐free survival and overall survival ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Outcomes of Japanese breast cancer patients treated with pre‐operative and post‐operative anastrozole or tamoxifen

Cancer Science — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

The present study examined long‐term efficacy outcomes in a subgroup of postmenopausal, estrogen receptor‐positive Japanese breast cancer patients from the Pre‐Operative “Arimidex” Compared with Tamoxifen trial, following pre‐operative (3 months) and post‐operative (5 years) adjuvant treatment with either anastrozole or tamoxifen. Patients with large, potentially operable, locally‐advanced breast cancer were randomized to receive anastrozole (1 mg/day) plus tamoxifen placebo or tamoxifen (20 mg/day) plus anastrozole placebo pre‐operatively. After surgery at 3 months, patients continued on the same study medication as adjuvant therapy for up to 5 years or until recurrence, intolerable toxicity or withdrawal of patient consent. Recurrence‐free survival and ove...

Nursing perspectives on fulvestrant for the treatment of postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer.

Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This article provides oncology nurses with the knowledge needed to educate patients on the use of fulvestrant, to effectively administer this medication, and to prevent and manage potential side effects. PMID: 22119979 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing)

Effect of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole on uterine and leiomyoma doppler blood flow in patients scheduled for hysterectomy: a pilot study

Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Effect of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole on uterine and leiomyoma doppler blood flow in patients scheduled for hysterectomy: a pilot study.

The Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Brito LG, Candido-Dos-Reis FJ, Magario FA, Sabino-de-Freitas MM PMID: 22102490 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Ultrasound Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Risk of Recurrence and Chemotherapy Benefit for Patients With Node-Negative, Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: Recurrence Score Alone and Integrated With Pathologic and Clinical Factors [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion RSPC refines the assessment of distant recurrence risk and reduces the number of patients classified as intermediate risk. Adding clinicopathologic measures did not seem to enhance the value of RS alone nor the individual biology RS identifies in predicting chemotherapy benefit. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Effect of simvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of anastrozole

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:48:14 +0100

Abstract We have prospectively tested the effects of simvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of anastrozole and on estrogen concentrations in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who were receiving adjuvant anastrozole. Following 14 days of simvastatin, we did not observe a significant change in plasma concentrations of anastrozole or hydroxyanastrozole in nine evaluable women. Likewise, we did not observe any statistically significant change in serum concentrations of either estradiol, which remained in the undetectable range, or estrone sulfate. Simvastatin and anastrozole may be safely co-administered. Pharmacokinetic results suggest that simvastatin is not likely to compromise the activity of anastrozole. Content Type Journal ArticleCategor...

NICE issues Final Appraisal Determination on fulvestrant for metastatic breast cancer

NeLM - News — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Source: NICE Area: News NICE has issues a Final Appraisal Determination on fulvestrant for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer which states that "Fulvestrant is not recommended, within its licensed indication, as an alternative to aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of oestrogen-receptor-positive, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose cancer has relapsed on or after adjuvant anti-oestrogen therapy, or who have disease progression on anti-oestrogen therapy." The Committee considered the most plausible incremental cost effectiveness ration for fulvestrant compared with anastrozole, which it had agreed was likely to be at least £35,000 per QALY gained, though there was considerable uncertainty associated with this ...

A Case of Aromatase Inhibitor (Anastrozole)–Induced Side-Effects Successfully Treated with Kampo Medicines

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:51:00 +0100

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine , Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine)

Influence of Comorbidities and Age on Risk of Death Without Recurrence: A Retrospective Analysis of the Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination Trial [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Age influences the risk of recurrence, and age and comorbidities significantly influence the risk of death without recurrence. Formal assessment of comorbidities should be incorporated into decisions regarding adjuvant therapies. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Prognostic Value of a Combined Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, Ki-67, and Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Immunohistochemical Score and Comparison With the Genomic Health Recurrence Score in Early Breast Cancer [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion This study suggests that the amount of prognostic information contained in four widely performed IHC assays is similar to that in the GHI-RS. Additional studies are needed to determine the general applicability of the IHC4 score. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

An Overview of Letrozole in Postmenopausal Women with Hormone-Responsive Breast Cancer.

Advances in Therapy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Barnadas A, Estévez LG, Lluch-Hernández A, Rodriguez-Lescure A, Rodriguez-Sanchez C, Sanchez-Rovira P Abstract Third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have proven to be superior to tamoxifen in terms of time to disease progression in patients with hormone receptor (HR) positive (HR+) status and, nowadays, are used in the adjuvant and neoadjuvant settings, and first-line therapy for advanced breast cancer. Letrozole is a third generation AI, as are anastrozole and exemestane. In the past, clinical studies had demonstrated that letrozole was effective as a second-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In this paper, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of letrozole are reviewed along with its activity in preclinical and clinical settings. Additionally, t...

5α-Reductase inhibitors, antiviral and anti-tumor activities of some steroidal cyanopyridinone derivatives.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Al-Mohizea AM, Al-Omar MA, Abdalla MM, Amr AG Abstract We herein report the 5α-reductase inhibitors, antiviral and anti-tumor activities of some synthesized heterocyclic cyanopyridone and cyanothiopyridone derivatives fused with steroidal structure. Initially the acute toxicity of the compounds was assayed via the determination of their LD(50). All the compounds, except 3b, were interestingly less toxic than the reference drug (Prednisolone(®)). Seventeen heterocyclic derivatives containing a cyanopyridone or cyanothiopyridone rings fused to a steroidal moiety were synthesized and screened for their 5α-reductase inhibitors, antiviral and anti-tumor activities comparable to that of Anastrozole, Bicalutamide, Efavirenz, Capravirine, Ribavirin, Oseltamivir and Amantadine a...

Adherence to adjuvant therapy in post‐menopausal breast cancer patients: a review

European Journal of Cancer Care — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 00:22:51 +0100

BANNING M. (2011) European Journal of Cancer CareAdherence to adjuvant therapy in post‐menopausal breast cancer patients: a reviewThis review aimed to address the concept of adherence to adjuvant therapy in post‐menopausal women. Thirteen studies were included in the review. Study quality was assessed using Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and CONSORT tools. Adherence to adjuvant medication was assessed using a variety of methods. Estimates of adherence rates to adjuvant therapies indicated that of the post‐menopausal women prescribed adjuvant therapy, between 15% and 55% were adherent to tamoxifen from 1 to 5 years of follow‐up, albeit two studies proposed adherence rates greater than 85%; these data may be flawed due to the methods of data collection. Between 31% and 73% of wo...

Adjuvant sequencing of tamoxifen and anastrozole is superior to tamoxifen alone in postmenopausal women with low proliferating breast cancer.

Clinical Cancer Research — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant sequencing of TAM and ANA is superior to TAM alone particularly in postmenopausal women with medium or high ER expressing, low proliferating breast cancer. PMID: 21998336 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

The time since last menstrual period is important as a clinical predictor for non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor-related arthralgia

BMC Cancer — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Background: The clinical predictors of aromatase inhibitor-related arthralgia (AIA), a drug-related adverse reaction of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), remain unclear. Methods: AIA was prospectively surveyed every 4 months in 328 postmenopausal breast cancer patients administered a non-steroidal AI (anastrozole). Various clinicopathological parameters were recorded and analyzed (chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis). Results: The mean observation period was 39.9 months. AIA manifested in 114 patients (34.8%), with peaks of onset at 4 (33.7%) and 8 months (11.4%) after starting AI administration. Some cases manifested even after 13 months. AIA tended to occur in younger patients (incidences of 46.3%, 37.4% and 28.0% for ages of 65 years (p=0.063)) and decreased ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy in Early-Stage Breast CancerAromatase Inhibitor Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:02:22 +0100

How do letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane compare in regards to breast cancer recurrence? American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

[Correspondence] Zoledronic acid in early-stage breast cancer

The Lancet Oncology — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Michael Gnant and co-workers reported an update of the ABCSG-12 randomised trial of adjuvant endocrine therapy plus zoledronic acid in premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. At a median follow-up of 62 months, addition of zoledronic acid improved disease-free survival in patients taking anastrozole or tamoxifen. Although zoledronic acid did not significantly affect risk of death, these data suggest an antitumour activity of zoledronic acid. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

Strategies for Maximizing Growth in Puberty in Children with Short Stature

Pediatric Clinics of North America — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100

The approach to the child with growth retardation who is in puberty remains an important clinical challenge. The use of high-dose growth hormone (GH), suppression of puberty with GnRH analogs in combination with GH, and the use of selective inhibitors of the aromatase enzyme with aromatase inhibitors (also in combination with GH) are all therapeutic choices that have been studied. Aromatase blockade effectively blocks estrogen production in males with a reciprocal increase in testosterone, and a new generation of aromatase inhibitors, including anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane, is under investigation in adolescent subjects with severe growth retardation. This class of drugs, if judiciously used for a window of time, offers promise as an adjunct treatment of growth delay in pubertal pa...

The Effect of Diet Induced Obesity on Testicular Tissue and Serum Oxidative Stress Parameters.

Actas Urologicas Espanolas — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: As a result it may be concluded that obesity may induce oxidative stress and decrease testosterone levels. These changes may alter testicular functions and consequently it may be speculated that obesity can be important causative factor in the etiology of the male infertility. PMID: 21959063 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Actas Urologicas Espanolas)

Progress in endocrine approaches to the treatment and prevention of breast cancer

Maturitas — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Tamoxifen had been the only available hormonal option for the systemic treatment for breast cancer from 1973 to 2000. Enormous efforts have led to the development of potent and selective third generation aromatase inhibitors including anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane. Due to their superior efficacy to tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors are presently approved as first line agents for the treatment of advanced estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer and adjuvant therapy in early ER positive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Selective ER Modulators (SERMS), tamoxifen and raloxifene are the only agents presently used in breast cancer prevention in high risk women and their use has increased substantially over the last decade. Third generations SERMS, lasofoxifene a...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Arimidex – Anastrozole

About.com Breast Cancer — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Arimidex helps prevent the production of estrogen, a hormone that fuels many breast cancer tumors. It is considered a hormonal treatment, and can help prevent recurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. (Source: About.com Breast Cancer)

Bone health in a prospective cohort of postmenopausal women receiving aromatase inhibitors for early breast cancer

The Breast — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Objective: Baseline bone health in postmenopausal women is poorly characterized in prospective series of early breast cancer (EBC) patients candidates to aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Our objective is to comprehensively evaluate bone health in a prospective clinical cohort of patients recruited prior to adjuvant AI therapy, with the aim of establishing potential AI impact on bone loss and fractures.Methods: From January 2006 to April 2010, we consecutively included 343 women with EBC who were about to start adjuvant AI therapy. Participants were assessed at baseline (before AI initiation) and at 3 months, with annual assessments thereafter. Bone mineral density (BMD), spine X-ray, bone metabolism (vitamin D [25(OH)D], bone turnover markers [BTM]), arthralgia and quality of li...

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Sep 16, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Effects of aromatase inhibition versus gonadectomy on hippocampal complex amyloid pathology in triple transgenic mice.

Neurobiology of Disease — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Overk CR, Lu PY, Wang YT, Choi J, Shaw JW, Thatcher GR, Mufson EJ Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among the elderly with women exhibiting a higher risk than men for the disease. Due to these gender differences, there is great interest in the role that estrogens play in cognitive impairment and the onset of the classic amyloid and tau lesions in AD. Human and rodent studies indicate a strong association between low brain aromatase, sex hormone levels, and beta amyloid deposition. Therefore, the effects of depleting both circulating and brain estrogen levels, through gonadectomy and/or treatment with the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole, upon hippocampal AD-like pathology in male and female 3xTgAD mice were evaluated. Liquid chromatograp...

Bone health in a prospective cohort of postmenopausal women receiving aromatase inhibitors for early breast cancer.

Breast — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Low bone mass, prevalent fractures and vitamin D insufficiency were highly prevalent among candidates to adjuvant AI for EBC. Therefore, it is crucial to assess BMD, prevalent fractures and 25(OH)D concentrations before starting AI therapy and during follow-up. PMID: 21924904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Breast)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Clinical and economic benefits of aromatase inhibitor therapy in early-stage breast cancer.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 00:00:39 +0100

Conclusion AI therapy has become a standard of care for the treatment of most postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. Emerging data have demonstrated potential overall survival advantages for AIs subsequent to and directly related to distant recurrence. When the economic burden to society is considered, it appears that all AIs are similarly beneficial on the basis of disease recurrence. PMID: 21880884 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Inhibition of estradiol synthesis attenuates renal injury in male streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AJP: Renal Physiology — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We previously showed that the male streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat exhibits decreased circulating testosterone and increased estradiol levels. While supplementation with dihydrotestosterone is partially renoprotective, the aim of the present study was to examine whether inhibition of estradiol synthesis, by blocking the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol using an aromatase inhibitor, can also prevent diabetes-associated renal injury. The study was performed on male Sprague-Dawley nondiabetic, STZ-induced diabetic, and STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with 0.15 mg/kg of anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor (Da) for 12 wk. Treatment with anastrozole reduced diabetes-associated increases in plasma estradiol by 39% and increased plasma testosterone levels by 187%. Anastrozole...

Initialization of adjuvant hormonal treatment for breast cancer.

Advances in Therapy — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Martínez Guisado A, Sánchez Muñoz A, de la Cabeza Lomas Garrido M, Ruíz Borrego M, Bayo Calero J, de Toro Salas R, González Mancha R, de la Haba Rodríguez J, Alba Conejo E Abstract The introduction of aromatase inhibitors (AI) has resulted in practice change approaches in the treatment of early breast cancer. In this paper, we analyze the most relevant studies including the ATAC, BIG 1-98, TEAM, MA-17, NSABP B-33, and ABSCG-6 studies. Postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer should be treated with AI for 5 years. For patients who have been initiated with tamoxifen (TAM), switching to an AI to complete 5 years of treatment is also recommended. The results of the extended adjuvant therapy studies recommend the use of an AI (anastrozole...

Direct spectroscopic evidence for binding of anastrozole to the iron heme of human aromatase. Peering into the mechanism of aromatase inhibition

RSC - Chem. Commun. latest articles — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:31:43 +0100

Chem. Commun., 2011, Advance ArticleDOI: 10.1039/C1CC13872C, CommunicationSara Maurelli, Mario Chiesa, Elio Giamello, Giovanna Di Nardo, Valentina E. V. Ferrero, Gianfranco Gilardi, Sabine Van DoorslaerHYSCORE spectroscopy provides the first direct experimental evidence of the binding of anastrozole to the iron heme of human aromatase via the N-4 of the triazole ring.To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - Chem. Commun. latest articles)

Effects of zoledronic acid on bone mineral density during aromatase inhibitor treatment of Korean postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:57:35 +0100

In conclusion, we have shown that ZA is very effective in preventing AI-induced bone loss in Korean postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical TrialPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s10549-011-1728-3Authors Seung Ah Lee, Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 712, Eonjuro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 135-720 KoreaSeung Hyun Hwang, Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 712, Eonjuro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 135-720 KoreaSung Gwe Ahn, Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 712, Eonjuro, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul, 135-720 KoreaHak Min Lee, Department of Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine,...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Relationship between body mass index and preoperative treatment response to aromatase inhibitor exemestane in postmenopausal patients with primary breast cancer

The Breast — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Abstract: Background: Some studies have shown that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with inferior outcome after adjuvant therapy with anastrozole in breast cancer patients. We aimed to investigate predictive effect of BMI on clinical response to neoadjuvant therapy with exemestane in postmenopausal patients with primary breast cancer.Patients and methods: The study group consisted of 109 patients from the JFMC 34-0601 neoadjuvant endocrine therapy trial. Patients were categorized into three groups according to BMI: low (BMI (Source: The Breast)

Relationship between body mass index and preoperative treatment response to aromatase inhibitor exemestane in postmenopausal patients with primary breast cancer.

Breast — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Low BMI was associated with a decreased ORR to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with exemestane. Our results may suggest that the predictive effect of BMI varies according to the type of aromatase inhibitor and objective outcome. PMID: 21855342 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Breast)

Breast Cancer Medications and Vision: Effects of Treatments for Early-stage Disease.

Current Eye Research — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Eisner A, Luoh SW This review concerns the visual and ocular effects of medications prescribed at three phases of treatment for women with early-stage breast cancer (BC): (1) adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy, (2) adjuvant endocrine therapy, and (3) symptomatic relief. The most common side effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy are epiphora and ocular surface irritation, which can be caused by any of several different regimens. Most notably, the taxane docetaxel can lead to epiphora by inducing canalicular stenosis. The selective-estrogen-receptor-modulator (SERM) tamoxifen, long the gold-standard adjuvant-endocrine-therapy for women with hormone-receptor-positive BC, increases the risk of posterior subcapsular cataract. Tamoxifen also affects the optic nerve head more often than pre...

Exemestane No Better Than Anastrozole in Breast CancerExemestane No Better Than Anastrozole in Breast Cancer

Medscape Medical News Headlines — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:11:32 +0100

Don't bother with phase III trials of exemestane for hormone-responsive advanced breast cancer in older women, Spanish researchers say. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Medical News Headlines)

Exemestane no better than anastrozole in breast cancer

Modern Medicine — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Don't bother with phase III trials of exemestane for hormone-responsive advanced breast cancer in older women, Spanish researchers say. (Source: Modern Medicine)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Sex differences in the effectiveness of treadmill training in enhancing axon regeneration in injured peripheral nerves

Journal of Neurobiology — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

AbstractExercise in the form of daily treadmill training results in significant enhancement of axon regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. Because androgens are also linked to enhanced axon regeneration, we wanted to investigate whether sex differences in the effect of treadmill training might exist. The common fibular nerves of thy‐1‐YFP‐H mice were cut and repaired with a graft of the same nerve from a strain‐matched wild type donor mouse. Animals were treated with one of two daily treadmill training paradigms: slow continuous walking for one hour or four higher intensity intervals of two minutes duration separated by five minute rest periods. Training was begun on the third day following nerve injury and continued five days per week for two weeks. Effects on regeneratio...

The effect of exemestane, anastrozole, and tamoxifen on lipid profiles in Japanese postmenopausal early breast cancer patients: final results of National Surgical Adjuvant Study BC 04, the TEAM Japan sub-study

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Changes of lipid profiles in Japanese postmenopausal women treated with tamoxifen were relatively favorable, while exemestane and anastrozole had no clinically significant effect on the serum lipids. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

A phase II neoadjuvant trial of anastrozole, fulvestrant, and gefitinib in patients with newly diagnosed estrogen receptor positive breast cancer

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:47:34 +0100

Abstract Endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer can be limited by the problem of resistance. Preclinical studies suggest that complete blockade of the estrogen receptor (ER) combined with inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor can overcome endocrine resistance. We tested this hypothesis in a phase II neoadjuvant trial of anastrozole and fulvestrant combined with gefitinib in postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed ER-positive breast cancer. After a baseline tumor core biopsy, patients were randomized to receive anastrozole and fulvestrant or anastrozole, fulvestrant, and gefitinib (AFG) for 3 weeks. After a second biopsy at 3 weeks, all patients received AFG for 4 months and surgery was done if the tumor was operable. The primary endp...

Surviving Metastatic Breast Cancer for 18 Years: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

The Breast Journal — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100

We report a case of a 93‐year‐old woman who was diagnosed with estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive, progesterone receptor‐positive, T2N0M0 (stage I) breast cancer (BC) at the age of 45. Twenty‐two years later, she was diagnosed with metastatic lesions to the lungs consistent with the breast primary. Her disease was stable on tamoxifen, anastrozole, and exemestane for 14 years. Subsequently, she was found to have metastatic lesions to thoracic spine as well as progressively increasing bilateral pleural effusions. At that time, she was deemed not to be a good candidate for chemotherapy and therapy was changed to fulvestrant. Two years later (38 years after initial diagnosis of BC), she was diagnosed with new metastatic liver lesions; although her pulmonary and bone metastases remai...

Impact of Body Mass Index on the Efficacy of Endocrine Therapy in Premenopausal Patients With Breast Cancer: An Analysis of the Prospective ABCSG-12 Trial [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion BMI significantly impacts on the efficacy of anastrozole plus goserelin in premenopausal patients with breast cancer, probably through influencing aromatase availability and/or ovarian suppression by goserelin. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Exemestane versus anastrozole as front‐line endocrine therapy in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor‐positive, advanced breast cancer

Cancer — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:In this phase 2 randomized trial, no significant differences in clinical activity were observed in favor of exemestane to justify a superiority phase 3 trial design in the first‐line setting. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society. (Source: Cancer)

[Articles] Adjuvant endocrine therapy plus zoledronic acid in premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer: 62-month follow-up from the ABCSG-12 randomised trial

The Lancet Oncology — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 16:48:59 +0100

SummaryBackgroundAnalysis of the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group trial-12 (ABCSG-12) at 48 months' follow-up showed that addition of zoledronic acid to adjuvant endocrine therapy significantly improved disease-free survival. We have now assessed long-term clinical efficacy including disease-free survival and disease outcomes in patients receiving anastrozole or tamoxifen with or without zoledronic acid.MethodsABSCG-12 is a randomised, controlled, open-label, two-by-two factorial, multicentre trial in 1803 premenopausal women with endocrine-receptor-positive early-stage (stage I–II) breast cancer receiving goserelin (3·6 mg every 28 days), comparing the efficacy and safety of anastrozole (1 mg per day) or tamoxifen (20 mg per day) with or without zoledronic acid (4 mg e...

Vitamin D and aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS): a phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:33:51 +0100

Abstract A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized phase II trial was performed to determine whether High Dose Vitamin D2 supplementation (HDD) in women receiving adjuvant anastrozole improves aromatase inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) and bone loss. Patients with early breast cancer and AIMSS were stratified according to their baseline 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD) level. Stratum A (20–29 ng/ml) received either HDD 50,000 IU capsules weekly for 8 weeks then monthly for 4 months or placebo. Stratum B (10–19 ng/ml) received either HDD for 16 weeks and then monthly for 2 months, or placebo. AIMSS was assessed by the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and the Health A...

Use of aromatase inhibitors to treat endometriosis-related pain symptoms: a systematic review

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, AIs effectively reduce the severity of endometriosis-related pain symptoms. Since endometriosis is a chronic disease, future investigations should clarify whether the long-term administration of AIs is superior to currently available endocrine therapies in terms of improvement of pain, adverse effects and patient satisfaction. (Source: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology)

Five-day anastrozole group in infertility needs supplemental human chorionic gonadotropin

Fertility and Sterility — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

I read with great interest the article by Tredway et al. , in which they concluded that “in terms of ovulation rates, 5-day anastrozole at 1, 5, and 10 mg/d was less effective than CC [clomiphene citrate] at 50 mg/d for cycle 1.” They have done commendable work. (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Reply of the Authors

Fertility and Sterility — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

For the reasons noted in his letter to the editor, we had considered Dr. Chen’s suggestion that the difference in ovulation rates between anastrozole and clomiphene citrate was due to the lack of supplemental hCG, which was used to induce ovulation in the study by Bedawy et al. . (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Jun 10, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Randomized Phase II Neoadjuvant Comparison Between Letrozole, Anastrozole, and Exemestane for Postmenopausal Women With Estrogen Receptor-Rich Stage 2 to 3 Breast Cancer: Clinical and Biomarker Outcomes and Predictive Value of the Baseline PAM50-Based Intrinsic Subtype--ACOSOG Z1031 [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Neoadjuvant AI treatment markedly improved surgical outcomes. Ki67 and PEPI data demonstrated that the three agents tested are biologically equivalent and therefore likely to have similar adjuvant activities. LumA tumors were more likely to have favorable biomarker characteristics after treatment; however, occasional paradoxical increases in Ki67 (12% of tumors with > 5% increase after therapy) suggest treatment-resistant cells, present in some LumA tumors, can be detected by post-treatment profiling. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Inhibition of estradiol synthesis attenuates renal injury in male streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Am J Physiol Renal P... — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Manigrasso MB, Sawyer RT, Marbury DC, Flynn ER, Maric C We previously showed that the male streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat exhibits decreased circulating testosterone and increased estradiol levels. While supplementation with dihydrotestosterone is partially renoprotective, the aim of the present study was to examine whether inhibition of estradiol synthesis, by blocking the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol using an aromatase inhibitor, can also prevent diabetes-associated renal injury. The study was performed in male Sprague-Dawley non-diabetic (ND), STZ-induced diabetic (D) and STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with 0.15mg/kg of anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor (Da) for 12 weeks. Treatment with anastrozole reduced diabetes-associated increases in plasm...

Effects of toremifene and anastrozole on serum lipids and bone metabolism in postmenopausal females with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancer: the results of a 2-year multicenter open randomized study

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:55:02 +0100

This study assessed the serum levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A1), and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) as lipid profiles and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and the N-telopeptide of type-I collagen (NTX) as bone turnover markers in patients who received daily doses of 40 mg and 1 mg for TOR and ANA, respectively. A decreased serum level of TC, LDL-C, and Apo B was, respectively, observed at 6 months in 6.2, 12.9, and 13.8% of the patients who received TOR compared with the baseline. These decreases were maintained for at least 24 months. These lipid levels were not changed in those who received ANA. In the TOR patients, there w...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Anastrozole: Acute hepatitis in an elderly patient: case report

Reactions — Mon, 30 May 2011 16:35:06 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

The efficacy of HER2-targeted agents in metastatic breast cancer: a meta-analysis

Annals of Oncology — Mon, 23 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our meta-analysis confirms the benefit of adding HER2-targeted therapy to standard treatment in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer. Compared with OS, TTP, PFS and ORR overestimate treatment benefit. Trials in our meta-analysis differed in terms of partner drug or HER2 agents, yet delivered comparable outcomes. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

A prospective pilot study investigating the musculoskeletal pain in postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy

Current Oncology — Thu, 19 May 2011 12:59:54 +0100

ConclusionsBaseline msk assessment showed pre-existing causes for pain in most of the study patients before initiation of the ai. Exacerbation of existing osteoarthritis pain and tenosynovial symptoms was the primary cause of pain increase. Musculoskeletal pain assessment at baseline and prompt treatment of pain symptoms may help to optimize adherence to ai therapy. The value of routinely assessing inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate was not supported by our pilot study. Gene expression profiles in peripheral blood mononuclear cells may be further explored in larger-scale studies as stratification markers to identify patients at risk of developing arthralgia. (Source: Current Oncology)

Neoadjuvant aromatase inhibitors valuable against some breast cancers

Modern Medicine — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Low-toxicity neoadjuvant therapy with the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) letrozole (Femara), anastrozole (Arimidex) and exemestane (Aromasin) led to "marked improvements" in surgical outcomes in certain women with breast cancer, U.S. researchers reported online on May 9 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. (Source: Modern Medicine)

Aromatase inhibitor efficacy falls as BMI rises in young breast cancer patients

Modern Medicine — Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In premenopausal women taking adjuvant anastrozole for breast cancer, body mass index (BMI) has a significant impact on outcomes, an Austrian study shows. (Source: Modern Medicine)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Fulvestrant Revisited: Efficacy and Safety of the 500-mg Dose.

Clinical Genitourinary Cancer — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Howell A, Sapunar F Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer are candidates for endocrine therapy. As the disease will eventually progress in most patients, it is important to investigate agents with novel modes of action to reduce the likelihood of treatment cross-resistance. Fulvestrant is an estrogen receptor antagonist with no known agonist effects that has been shown to be as effective as anastrozole following failure on tamoxifen, at the approved dose of 250 mg/mo. However, pharmacokinetic modelling and evidence of clinical efficacy in early trials, together with the favorable tolerability profile of fulvestrant 250 mg, led to suggestions that increasing the fulvestrant dose would lead to an improved benefit-risk profile. This review des...

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Apr 28, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a patient treated with tamoxifen for breast cancer

Fertility and Sterility — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion(s): Tamoxifen-induced OHSS is rare. Furthermore, OHSS is very rare in the older female. OHSS usually resolves with temporary discontinuation of tamoxifen, however, the recurrence of symptoms when resuming tamoxifen is better treated with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to enable adjuvant treatment with anastrazole. (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Apr 8, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Anastrozole-related acute hepatitis with autoimmune features: a case report.

BMC Gastroenterology — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Anastrozole-induced hepatotoxicity is a very rare event. Drug-drug interactions or metabolically-mediated damage might be involved, with a possible role of individual susceptibility. Our report suggests that an immune-mediated mechanism may also be considered in anastrozole-related liver injury. (Source: BMC Gastroenterology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Long-term effects of anastrozole on bone mineral density: 7-year results from the ATAC trial

Annals of Oncology — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Anastrozole treatment-related bone loss did not continue into the off-treatment follow-up period. The recovery in lumbar spine BMD and absence of further loss at the hip is consistent with the reduction in the annual rate of fracture observed after treatment cessation in the main ATAC trial. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

Women could take drugs to prevent breast cancer

OnMedica Latest News — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Drugs should be offered to women with 4% chance of developing the diseaseRelated items from OnMedicaMRI better at picking up early breast cancer than x-raysBreast cancer screeningSecrets of tamoxifen mechanism uncoveredPoor women less likely to survive breast cancerOpinion Leader Editorial - Breast Cancer – Anastrozole (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

Examination of the use of Exemestane in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Breast Cancer — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: EXE seems to be a useful alternative treatment when the first-line treatment has not been effective. If the use of both agents, ANA and EXE, is planned, it might be desirable to initiate treatment with ANA and then switch to EXE. PMID: 21437667 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Breast Cancer)

Effects of Exemestane, Anastrozole and Tamoxifen on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers in Postmenopausal Early Breast Cancer Patients: Results of N-SAS BC 04, the TEAM Japan Substudy.

Oncology — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Tamoxifen may provide better bone protection compared with exemestane or anastrozole. The effect of exemestane and anastrozole on bone loss may be comparable in Japanese postmenopausal women. PMID: 21430407 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Oncology)

Anastrozole/cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin: Hip fracture: 6 case reports

Reactions — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:01:08 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

17α-Ethynyl-5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol Treatment of MNU-Induced Mammary Cancer in Rats

Anesthesiology Research and Practice — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:47:49 +0100

N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) induces estrogen-dependent mammary tumors in female Lewis rats. We explored the antineoplastic activity of a synthetic androstane derivative, 17α-ethynyl-5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (HE3235), as a single agent or in combination with docetaxel compared to tamoxifen, anastrazole, and docetaxel monotherapies against MNU-induced mammary tumors in female Lewis rats. Treatment with HE3235 alone rapidly reduced tumor burden, similar in effect to tamoxifen and anastrozole. The combination of HE3235 with docetaxel was more effective than any single agent, although without apparent toxicity. Only HE3235 or HE3235 plus docetaxel continued to suppress tumor growth after cessation of treatment. HE3235 treatment increased immunohistochemical marke...

Differences between the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and letrozole – of clinical importance?

British Journal of Cancer AOP — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Differences between the non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and letrozole – of clinical importance? British Journal of Cancer advance online publication, March 1, 2011. doi:10.1038/bjc.2011.58 Author: J Geisler (Source: British Journal of Cancer AOP)

[Correspondence] 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial: wrong conclusion?

The Lancet Oncology — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The 10-year analysis of the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial continues to show a difference in its primary endpoint of disease-free survival, which favours anastrozole as adjuvant treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone-responsive breast cancer. Ultimately, however, clinical trials have two aims: either to show improvement in survival, or in its quality. Anastrozole has failed to meet these criteria when compared with tamoxifen. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

[Correspondence] 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial: wrong conclusion? – Authors' reply

The Lancet Oncology — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Ian Tannock's opinions are not supported by the published data. In the ATAC trial, more women receiving tamoxifen had serious adverse events, treatment-related adverse or serious adverse events, or an adverse or serious adverse event leading to withdrawal than did those receiving anastrozole. These events included a much higher incidence of gynaecological complications, and a four-times increase in endometrial cancer. Furthermore, there were more venous thromboembolic events and strokes, which are now known to be tamoxifen related. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

Wnt pathway is affected by endocrine therapy in breast carcinomas

Basic and Applied Pathology — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In post‐menopausal ER+ IDC, tamoxifen for 26 days prior to IDC surgery influenced statistically the expression of important cell cycle regulators as APC and c‐myc, whereas anastrozole therapy did not interfere with this pathway during the same period. These Wnt related proteins may contribute to selective estrogen receptor modulator resistance. (Source: Basic and Applied Pathology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Anastrozole versus clomiphene citrate: which is better for ovulation induction?

Fertility and Sterility — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Although anastrozole may be used as an oral therapeutic agent in ovulation induction, it is not recommended as a replacement for clomiphene citrate. On the basis of two phase 2 studies, anastrozole should be viewed as a second-tier therapy after clomiphene citrate in anovulatory patients. (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

Health-related quality of life and psychological distress of breast cancer patients after surgery during a phase III randomized trial comparing continuation of tamoxifen with switching to anastrozole after adjuvant tamoxifen for 1–4 years: N-SAS BC 03

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:13:23 +0100

Abstract To investigate whether the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients switching from tamoxifen to anastrozole in a randomized trial is identical to that of those who continued tamoxifen after 1–4 years of adjuvant tamoxifen in Japanese postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Eligible patients for the randomized trial, the National Surgical Adjuvant Study of Breast Cancer 03, were recurrence-free postmenopausal women who had received definitive surgery for primary breast cancer with positive hormone receptor(s), and had been taking tamoxifen for 1–4 years postoperatively. They were randomly assigned to continue tamoxifen or to switch to anastrozole for a total duration of five years. Subjects were asked to reply to a self-administered QOL ...

The potency and clinical efficacy of aromatase inhibitors across the breast cancer continuum

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

This article examines the clinical data with aromatase inhibitors, following a brief summary of their pharmacology. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

Anastrozole/exemestane/letrozole: Rheumatoid arthritis?: 3 case reports

Reactions — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:10:39 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Prepubertal Gynecomastia in Two Monozygotic Twins with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome: Two Years’ Treatment with Anastrozole and Genetic Study

Karger Publishers — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:16:36 +0100

Horm Res Paediatr (DOI:10.1159/000324178) (Source: Karger Publishers)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Generic anastrozole launched in UK

NeLM - News — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Source: PharmaLive Area: News Several companies including Actavis, Wockhardt, Medac and Winthrop have launched generic anastrozole in the UK. (Source: NeLM - News)

ANASTROZOLE (Anastrozole) Tablet, Coated [AvKARE, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Feb 11, 2011 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Anastrozole single-dose protocol in women with oligo- or anovulatory infertility: results of a randomized phase II dose–response study

Fertility and Sterility — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Objective: To compare the effects of anastrozole and clomiphene citrate (CC) on follicular development and ovulation in infertile women with ovulatory dysfunction.Design: Phase II, prospective, randomized, assessor-blind, multicenter, dose-finding, noninferiority study.Setting: Outpatient.Patient(s): Infertile women with ovulatory dysfunction, aged 18–35 years, and body mass index (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

Breast cancer (non-metastatic)

Clinical Evidence — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:00:00 +0100

New evidence; conclusions changed for: Radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (for ductal carcinoma in situ) One systematic review added, which found that radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery for ductal carcinoma in situ significantly reduced ipsilateral recurrence at up to 10.5 years of follow-up. Categorisation changed from Likely to be beneficial to Beneficial because of confirmation given in systematic review and maintenance of benefit with long-term follow-up. Adjuvant taxanes (for primary operable breast cancer) One systematic review and three subsequent RCTs added, which found that taxane-based therapies improved disease-free survival and overall survival compared with anthracycline-based regimens. Catego...

Anastrozole vs. clomiphene citrate in infertile women with ovulatory dysfunction: a phase II, randomized, dose-finding study

Fertility and Sterility — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Objective: To determine an effective multiple-dose regimen of anastrozole compared with clomiphene citrate (CC) to induce follicular growth and ovulation in infertile women with ovulatory dysfunction.Design: Phase II, prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, dose-finding, noninferiority study.Setting: Outpatient.Patient(s): Infertile women (n = 271) with ovulatory dysfunction, aged 18–40 years, with body mass index (Source: Fertility and Sterility)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Anastrozole can cause severe hypercalcaemia mimicking primary hyperparathyroidism.

Breast Cancer — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Järhult J A 65-year-old woman on anastrozole treatment because of a recurrent breast cancer developed hypercalcaemia and increased parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels 2½ years after start of the treatment. A diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism was suspected and the patient underwent neck surgery, but only normal parathyroid glands were found. Postoperatively, the hypercalcaemia as well as the PTH level continued to rise, and 9 months after exploration of the parathyroids her calcium level was extremely high (adjusted serum calcium = 3.39 mmol/l). Anastrozole was then withheld, and within 2 weeks the severe hypercalcaemic state turned into hypocalcaemia. A month later, anastrozole treatment was started again, and after 6 weeks her calcium and PTH values had returned to extrem...

The Reply

The American Journal of Medicine — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

We appreciate Abdel-Razeq's comments on our review Caring for the Breast Cancer Survivor and agree with his comment that tamoxifen's effects on bone mineral density vary with the menopausal status of the patient. Tamoxifen does cause bone loss in women who continue to have active menstrual cycles. However, for the majority of premenopausal women with breast cancer, treatment with chemotherapy results in amenorrhea. Thus, when they subsequently start their adjuvant hormonal treatment with tamoxifen, they are in effect postmenopausal. In premenopausal women treated with surgery and radiation therapy alone, adjuvant hormonal treatment with tamoxifen does induce bone loss when combined with complete ovarian suppression. In the Austrian study of Gnant et al, treatment with tamoxifen did induce ...

Cancer Therapy Associated Bone Loss: Implications for Hip Fractures in Mid-Life Women with Breast Cancer.

Clinical Cancer Research — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Cancer treatment induced bone loss results in hip fractures among mid-life women with breast cancer. Hip fractures occur at younger ages and higher BMD than expected for patients in this age group without breast cancer. Hip fractures result in considerable functional decline. Greater awareness of this adverse drug effect is needed. Clin Cancer Res; 17(3); 560-8. ©2011 AACR. PMID: 21288927 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

Time and geographical variations in utilization of endocrine therapy for breast cancer in Australia

Internal Medicine Journal — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Use of aromatase inhibitors has overtaken use of tamoxifen in 2008. Further real‐world effectiveness data are required to evaluate whether large associated increases in expenditures partly because of the higher costs of aromatase inhibitors are actually justified. (Source: Internal Medicine Journal)

Chemotherapy: Anastrozole superiority to tamoxifen for early breast cancer confirmed

Nature Clinical Practice Oncology — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology 8, 64 (2011). doi:10.1038/nrclinonc.2010.211 Author: Lisa Richards Early results of the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial showed that anastrozole has a superior efficacy and fewer adverse effects compared with tamoxifen. Now, Jack Cuzick and colleagues report the long-term outcomes in a 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial.Initially, the (Source: Nature Clinical Practice Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Phase III study: Exemestane monotherapy versus tamoxifen and exemestane sequential therapy in the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer

NeLM - News — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Lancet Area: News The results of a Phase III study comparing exemestane monotherapy with tamoxifen followed by exemestane (sequential treatment) in the adjuvant therapy of hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer have been published early online in the Lancet. The authors note that current guidelines recommend the inclusion of aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole) in the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with HR+ breast cancer, based on evidence from a number of studies evaluating different adjuvant strategies. Although many believe that five years of monotherapy with an aromatase inhibitor is the optimum treatment, it is not known if there are differences between monotherapy and sequential treatment strategies. &nbs...

62-Month follow-up of ABCSG-12: Adjuvant endocrine therapy, alone or in combination with zoledronic acid, in premenopausal patients with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer

Bone — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:19:53 +0100

Conclusions: In the ABCSG-12 trial, adding ZOL (4mg q6mo) consistently improves disease outcomes in the TAM and ANA strata, and in node-negative and node-positive patients. Although there was no DFS difference between TAM and ANA, ANA patients had inferior OS versus TAM, likely due to fewer treatment options after relapse. Based on these results and on the anticancer activity of adjuvant ZOL, adding ZOL to endocrine therapy could benefit premenopausal patients with EBC. (Source: Bone)

One year effect of anastrozole and risedronate on bone mineral density: First results from the IBIS-II bone sub-study

Bone — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:19:53 +0100

Introduction: Bone loss is a well known complication of aromatase inhibitor therapy in breast cancer patients. The bone sub-study of the International Breast Cancer Prevention Study (IBIS-II) is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial to study the effect of anastrozole (1mg/day) on bone mineral density (BMD) and to evaluate the impact of oral risedronate on bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women at a high risk of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) BMD at baseline and 1year were available for 657 women at the time of analysis. Of these, 384 with normal BMD (stratum-I) received only monitoring with DXA scans, 194 osteopenic women (stratum-II) were randomised to receive either risedronate 35mg/week or placebo and 79 osteoporotic women en...

Does Anastrozole Affect Bone Resorption Similarly in Early and Late Postmenopausal Women?

Calcified Tissue International — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:19:35 +0100

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine whether the bone-resorption response to anastrozole differed according to initial patient age in postmenopausal women with breast cancer in a cross-sectional study. Second-morning void urines were collected for measurement of urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (uNTx, corrected for creatinine and log-transformed) from postmenopausal women, 99 with breast cancer on anastrozole (ABC), 88 with newly diagnosed breast cancer (NDBC), and 137 community-dwelling healthy control (HC) women. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also measured at the lumbar spine (LS, L2–L4) and the femoral neck (FN) in the ABC group. uNTx (nanomole bone collagen equivalents/millimole creatinine) levels increased with age in HC subjects. In...

Phase Ib Trial of Combination Treatment With Src Inhibitor Saracatinib and Anastrozole Demonstrated Favorable Safety Profile in Patients With Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:58:29 +0100

Capsule Summary - Recommended doses determined for phase II evaluation: saracatinib 175 mg/day plus anastrozole 1 mg/day. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators and Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer Chemoprevention.

Current Drug Targets — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vogel VG In premenopausal women, tamoxifen for 5 years reduces the risk of estrogen receptor (ER) -positive breast cancer for at least 10 years. Women <50 years of age experience fewer serious side effects. Vascular and vasomotor events do not persist after treatment regardless of age. Raloxifene use is consistently associated with a reduction in breast cancer risk. In postmenopausal women, raloxifene and tamoxifen reduce the risk of ER-positive invasive breast cancer with equal efficacy, but raloxifene is associated with a lower risk of thromboembolic disease, benign uterine conditions, and cataracts than tamoxifen in postmenopausal women. No evidence exists establishing whether a reduction in breast cancer risk from either agent translates into reduced breast cancer morta...

Conference report: Aromatase inhibitors may increase risk of cardiovascular events

NeLM - News — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: MedPage Today Area: News According to research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, aromatase inhibitors (AIs) may increase the risk of cardiac events in women with breast cancer. In December 2008, the FDA added a warning label to anastrozole indicating a potential increased risk for heart disease. For this reason, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to determine if this increased risk for heart disease occurred with the use of any AI. The meta-analysis of seven large clinical trials found that use of AIs was associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of suffering a cardiovascular event (from 3.4% to 4.2%; absolute increase of 0.8%; p<0.01). This risk however appears to be mitigated if the patient is...

Zoledronic Acid Shows Lasting Clinical And Anticancer Benefits In Premenopausal Women With Hormone-Responsive, Early-stage Breast Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Analyses at 62 months, or more than two years after treatment completion, confirm and extend the durable clinical and anticancer benefits of the bisphosphonate zoledronic acid that were reported at the 48-month follow-up in the Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group Trial 12 (ABCSG-12) trial. In the ABCSG-12 trial, 1,803 premenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer were randomized to goserelin (3.6 mg q28d) and tamoxifen (20 mg/d) or anastrozole (1 mg/d) Â± zoledronic acid (4 mg q6mo) for 3 years... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Updated FIRST Data: Significantly Longer TTP With High-Dose Fulvestrant vs Anastrozole as First-line Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer

Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:39:09 +0100

Capsule Summary - Fulvestrant 500 mg/month was associated with significantly longer median TTP vs anastrozole 1 mg/day as frontline endocrine therapy for hormone receptor–positive advanced breast cancer. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Exemestane May Be Another First-Line, Adjuvant Therapy For Hormone-Receptor Positive, Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Exemestane, an aromatase inhibitor that blocks production of estrogen, may provide another post-surgery option for postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor positive, early-stage breast cancer. In the first head-to-head adjuvant clinical trial comparing two aromatase inhibitors, anastrozole and exemestane, the drugs resulted in similar survival rates and prevention of breast cancer recurrences. Some differences in the side effect profile were seen, including a potential difference in the risk of developing osteoporosis. Paul E. Goss, M.D., Ph.D... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Anastrozole and exemestane yielded nearly identical clinical outcomes

HemOncToday.com — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:36:00 +0100

(Source: HemOncToday.com)

NCIC CTG MA.27: Exemestane Comparable to Anastrozole as Adjuvant Therapy in Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Early Breast Cancer

Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:01:26 +0100

Capsule Summary - Exemestane and anastrozole associated with similar EFS, DDFS, DSS, and OS; however, adverse event rates differed, with exemestane exhibiting a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation and androgenic effects and anastrozole exhibiting a higher incidence of osteoporosis, lipid effects, and vaginal bleeding. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

Data Suggests Improved Disease Control With FASLODEXTM 500mg Compared With Anastrozole For Women With Hormone Receptor-positive Breast Cancer

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100

New data presented at the CTRC-AACR 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, USA, suggest fulvestrant 500mg offers improved disease control compared with the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole, when used as a first-line treatment* for hormone receptor positive breast cancer.1 The follow-up data from the FIRST (FASLODEX fIRst line Study comparing endocrine Treatments) trial - a randomised, open-label, phase II trial in postmenopausal women with locally advanced or metastatic disease - showed a 34% reduction in risk of progression with fulvestrant 500mg compared with anastrozole... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Cardiovascular disease risk a class effect of aromatase inhibitors: findings of meta-analysis

NeLM - News — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Reuters Health News Area: News In 2008, the FDA added a warning to the drug label for anastrozole about the risk of heart disease. According to data presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, all aromatase inhibitors (AIs) appear to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in postmenopausal women with breast cancer, particularly patients with pre-existing heart disease. These findings come from a meta-analysis of seven large trials among postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer, from the Aromatase Inhibitor Overview Group. Overall, any duration of AIs increased the risk of CVD (i.e. myocardial infarction, angina, and heart failure) with an odds ratio of 1.26 (p = 0.01), and a number needed to harm of 132. There was an absolute increase in...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Exemestane to Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence Similar to Anastrozole

Medscape ObGyn and Womens Health Headlines — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:09:02 +0100

The first trial comparing a nonsteroidal irreversible aromatase inhibitor with a steroidal reversible one showed no difference in efficacy. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape ObGyn and Womens Health Headlines)

A Qualitative Systematic Review of the Evidence Base for Non-cross-resistance between Steroidal and Non-steroidal Aromatase Inhibitors in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Clinical Oncology — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Discussion: This review suggests that switching from an NSAI to an SAI is a reasonable option. This would be particularly important for patients who would probably respond to further endocrine manoeuvres; strongly oestrogen receptor-positive disease, non-visceral disease, a good prior response or a long duration of response. Further research to optimise the sequence of endocrine therapies in metastatic breast cancer is needed. (Source: Clinical Oncology)

Study Confirms Long-Term Benefit Of Anastrozole To Stop Breast Cancer Returning

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0100

A major international trial has confirmed the long-term benefit of anastrozole to help stop breast cancer coming back or developing in the other breast in postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive early breast cancer, according to a study published in Lancet Oncology. The trial - led by Professor Jack Cuzick , Cancer Research UK epidemiologist based at Queen Mary, University of London - is the longest ever follow up of a particular class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors1... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

[Reflection and Reaction] 10 years of ATAC: one question answered, many others unresolved

The Lancet Oncology — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this issue of The Lancet Oncology, the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) investigators report the 10-year analysis of their trial, which was a landmark study on adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer. ATAC was one of several huge trials that set out to define the role of aromatase inhibitors compared with tamoxifen—the previous standard adjuvant treatment—for adjuvant treatment of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

[Articles] Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer: 10-year analysis of the ATAC trial

The Lancet Oncology — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

These data confirm the long-term superior efficacy and safety of anastrozole over tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Anastrozole Tops Tamoxifen in Analysis of ATAC Trial

Ob.Gyn. News — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Major Finding: Anastrozole maintained superior effectiveness in preventing breast cancer recurrence compared with tamoxifen in an intent-to-treat population of 6,241 women. (Source: Ob.Gyn. News)

Long-term ATAC results confirm superior efficacy, safety of anastrozole vs. tamoxifen for early breast cancer

HemOncToday.com — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:15:00 +0100

Cuzick J. Lancet Oncol. 2010;doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70257-6. (Source: HemOncToday.com)

ATAC results confirm superiority of anastrozole vs. tamoxifen for early breast cancer

HemOncToday.com — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:17:00 +0100

Cuzick J. Lancet Oncol. 2010;doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(10)70257-6. (Source: HemOncToday.com)

ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Nov 23, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Long-term efficacy of anastazole demonstrated in breast cancer patients

MedWire News - Breast Cancer — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 02:20:59 +0100

Results of the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination trial at 10 years confirm the long-term superiority of anastrazole over tamoxifen as initial adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive early breast cancer, researchers report. (Source: MedWire News - Breast Cancer)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Long-term outcomes of the ATAC trial: Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage breast cancer

NeLM - News — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, researchers present outcomes following a median follow-up period of 120 months. The primary end-point was disease-free survival, and secondary endpoints of time to recurrence, time to distant recurrence, incidence of new contralateral breast cancer, overall survival, and death with or without recurrence in all randomised patients (anastrozole n=3125, tamoxifen n=3116) and hormone-receptor-positive patients (anastrozole n=2618, tamoxifen n=2598) ... (Source: NeLM - News)

Anastrozole-related bone loss "manageable"

Reactions — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 04:07:23 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Skeletal events of Anastrozole versus Tamoxifen on bone mineral density and bone biomarker osteocalcin in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

The Chinese-German Journal of Clinical Oncology — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:00:29 +0100

Conclusion Tamoxifen preserves BMD in postmenopausal breast cancer patients, whereas Anastrozole accelerates age associated fall in BMD especially in the first year of therapy, moreover, the addition of bisphosphonate can help to decrease the skeletal related events associated with treatment to ensure better quality of life with treatment. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s10330-010-0676-4Authors Lobna R. Ezz Elarab, Radiation Oncology & Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, EgyptMenha Swellam, Biochemistry Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Division, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, EgyptManal M. Abdel Wahab, Radiation Oncology & Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Eg...

Women and Bone Health: Maximizing the Benefits of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy.

Oncology — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tang SC Postmenopausal women with early breast cancer (EBC) are already at risk for bone loss, osteoporosis and fracture as they age because of declining estrogen levels. Adjuvant hormonal therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AIs; e.g. letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane) can exacerbate this risk. All three AIs appear to have similar effects on bone, increasing bone turnover and fracture risk in postmenopausal women with EBC. Risk factors for bone loss can be used to assess fracture risk and the need for ongoing assessment and/or treatment in postmenopausal women receiving AIs for EBC. The concomitant, up-front use of intravenous bisphosphonate therapy, such as zoledronic acid, in combination with AIs can inhibit bone loss. In addition, a strong body of evidence suggests an antic...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Letrozole cost effective versus generic anastrozole

PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:02:13 +0100

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

Genome-Wide Associations and Functional Genomic Studies of Musculoskeletal Adverse Events in Women Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors [Breast Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion This GWAS identified SNPs associated with MS-AEs in women treated with AIs and with a gene (TCL1A) which, in turn, was related to a cytokine (IL17). These findings provide a focus for further research to identify patients at risk for MS-AEs and to explore the mechanisms for these adverse events. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Phase I/II study of sorafenib with anastrozole in patients with hormone receptor positive aromatase inhibitor resistant metastatic breast cancer

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 16:59:35 +0100

Abstract We evaluated the use of sorafenib to overcome resistance to aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in patients with metastatic breast cancer who had disease recurrence or progression while on AIs. We performed a multi-institution phase I/II study of sorafenib and anastrozole 1 mg daily in 35 postmenopausal females with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer resistant to AIs. Primary objectives were to determine the dose of sorafenib in conjunction with anastrozole and the clinical benefit rate (CBR) (complete response [CR], partial response [PR], or stable disease [SD] ≥ 24 weeks). Secondary objectives were to determine toxicity and to evaluate if response was associated with change in number of circulating endothelial cells or circulating en...

Cortical and trabecular bone at the radius and tibia in postmenopausal breast cancer patients: A Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) study

Bone — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to utilize Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT) to assess in vivo trabecular and cortical volumetric bone at peripheral skeletal sites in healthy postmenopausal women and breast cancer patients prescribed Anastrozole. Fifty-eight women were recruited for this study: 27 breast cancer patients and 31 healthy control participants. pQCT measurements were taken at distal and diaphyseal sites of the radius and tibia using a Stratec XCT-2000 pQCT scanner. Bone measurement values for total density and total content at the 4% radius; total and cortical content as well as cortical density at the 20% radius; total density at the 4% tibia; and cortical density at the 38% tibia were found to be significantly lower in breast cancer patients. Moreover, the du...

Soy isoflavones may reduce breast cancer recurrence risk in some patients

MedWire News - Oncology — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:59:18 +0100

A high dietary intake of soy isoflavones is associated with a reduced risk for breast cancer recurrence among postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive disease treated with anastrozole, Chinese researchers report. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Find the best January Sales in the UK.

Anastrozole: Arthralgia: case report

Reactions — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:33:41 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Effect of soy isoflavones on breast cancer recurrence and death for patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy.

cmaj — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kang X, Zhang Q, Wang S, Huang X, Jin S BACKGROUND: The intake of soy isoflavones among women with breast cancer has become a public health concern, because these compounds have weak estrogenic effects. There is little clinical evidence about their safety for patients with breast cancer who are receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy. METHODS: For patients who underwent surgery for breast cancer between August 2002 and July 2003 and who were receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy, we examined associations between dietary intake of soy isoflavones and recurrence of breast cancer and death. We measured dietary intake of soy isoflavones at baseline using a validated food frequency questionnaire. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by means of multivaria...

Breast cancer awareness campaigns cause more harm than good

NaturalNews.com — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:00:00 +0100

(NaturalNews) For over 25 years, the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization has been conducting campaigns to "promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to screening services." But since such campaigns began, breast cancer mortality rates have remained virtually the same, while more women than ever needlessly undergo dangerous treatments for a disease they do not even have.Groups like the American Cancer Society (ACS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation all support breast cancer awareness initiatives, which include urging women to get annual mammograms and to undergo conventional treatments like surgery, radiation and chemotherapy at the first signs of a tumor. But many p...

Aromatase inhibitors in adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor positive breast cancer: a systematic review

NeLM - Disease Focused Reviews — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:00:00 +0100

Source: DARE Area: Evidence > Disease Focused Reviews CRD Summary: The review found that aromatase inhibitors used as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal hormone receptor positive breast cancer had a small benefit on disease-free (but not overall) survival compared to tamoxifen. Limitations of the review methodology and the modest effect size bring into question the reliability of the results of the review. [In the included trials, the following daily doses were used: tamoxifen 20mg; anastrozole 1mg; letrozole 2.5mg; and exemestane 25mg.] CRD Commentary: The review addressed a clear research question. Intervention and outcome inclusion criteria were all stated. The lack of clear participant inclusion criteria meant that the studies in the review included two in which not all patients ...

MedWorm Sponsor Message: Please support the Doctors In Chains campaign for the medics tortured and sentenced for up to 15 years in Bahrain. #FreeDoctors

Fulvestrant 250 mg versus anastrozole for Chinese patients with advanced breast cancer: results of a multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase III trial

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:46:08 +0100

Conclusions These data demonstrate that fulvestrant 250 mg and anastrozole were similarly effective and well tolerated in the treatment of postmenopausal Chinese women with advanced breast cancer whose disease had progressed or recurred on prior endocrine treatment. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00280-010-1483-xAuthors Binghe Xu, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17 Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, 100021 Beijing, ChinaZefei Jiang, Beijing 307 Hospital, Beijing, ChinaZhimin Shao, Cancer Hospital and Shanghai Cancer Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, ChinaJiayu Wang, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Hospital and Institute, Chinese Academ...

Anastrozole

Expert Opinion: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety: Table of Contents — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:03:06 +0100

Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 1-9, Early Online. (Source: Expert Opinion: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety: Table of Contents)

ASCO Breast: Ten Years On, Anastrazole Still Tops SERM

MedPage Today OB/GYN — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 22:31:11 +0100

(MedPage Today) -- NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- The aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex) extended its disease control advantage over tamoxifen in an analysis of 10-year outcomes in a large randomized clinical trial in breast cancer. (Source: MedPage Today OB/GYN)

Short-term anastrozole therapy reduces Ki-67 and progesterone receptor expression in invasive breast cancer: a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 07:14:17 +0100

Conclusions There was a significant reduction in PgR and Ki-67 expression in the group treated with anastrozole. In the present study, the short-term HT was not associated with changes in apoptosis-related protein levels, regardless the type of drug used. Content Type Journal ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00432-010-0950-4Authors Andre Mattar, Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 715 - 7°.andar, CEP 04024-002 São Paulo, SP BrazilAngela Flávia Logullo, Department of Pathology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP BrazilGil Facina, Department of Gynecology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros, 715 - 7°.andar, CEP 04024-002 São Paulo, SP BrazilSuely Nonogaki, Labora...