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GYN: Patients switched from tamoxifen to exemestane more likely to stay cancer-freeFrom: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)Mon Mar 29 08:51:02 2004
Breast Cancer March 29, 2004 2004 MAR 29 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- In a large clinical trial, postmenopausal breast cancer patients who switched from tamoxifen to exemestane tablets (Pfizer brand name: Aromasin) had a significantly reduced chance of recurrence and increased disease-free survival compared to patients who remained on tamoxifen. The Intergroup Exemestane Study (IES) involved over 4,700 postmenopausal women from 37 countries who had breast cancer and were followed for an average of 31 months. According to a current treatment paradigm, postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer receive tamoxifen for 5 years after surgery to prevent recurrence. According to data published in the March 10, 2004, New England Journal of Medicine, the IES demonstrated that patients who switched to Aromasin after 2 or 3 years of taking tamoxifen were more likely to remain cancer-free than those who continued on tamoxifen. Patients receiving Aromasin experienced a 32% reduction in the risk of recurrence of the disease at 3 years, as compared to those continuing on tamoxifen. This reduction includes fewer local and distant tumors as well as new cancer in the other breast. "Results from this study are important since many patients taking tamoxifen alone relapse within 5 years of diagnosis," said Charles Coombes, MD, lead investigator and head of the Department of Cancer Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine in England. "This is the first large multi-center trial to challenge the current concept of 5 years monotherapy with endocrine agents after surgical treatment of primary breast cancer. It shows that patients switched to Aromasin experienced statistically significant clinical benefit and longer disease-free survival." The independent group monitoring the IES recommended releasing these findings early as a result of the strength of these data. "These are important findings for the many women afflicted with breast cancer worldwide," said Joseph Feczko, president of Worldwide Development at Pfizer, the company that makes Aromasin and sponsored the IES. "These data provide women with a new treatment option that can provide a real disease-free survival benefit." In the double-blind trial, after 2 to 3 years of adjuvant (after surgery) tamoxifen therapy, patients were randomized to receive either Aromasin (25 mg) or to continue on tamoxifen (20 mg) daily. Aromasin was generally well tolerated. Continuation of tamoxifen therapy was associated with a greater incidence of endometrial cancer, blood clots, hot flashes, vaginal bleeding, and muscle cramps. Joint pain and diarrhea were reported more frequently in the Aromasin group. The International Collaborative Cancer Group under the auspices of the Breast International Group coordinated the Pfizer-sponsored IES study. This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net. ©Copyright 2004, Cancer Weekly via NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net art
-- art fougner, md ich bin ein New Yorker
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