-- More Patients Set to Benefit as Weight of Evidence for 'Arimidex' Prompts
Wave of Change
MACCLESFIELD, England, Dec. 7 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Today, for the first
time in over 20 years, a new gold standard treatment has emerged for
postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. In the US, some European
countries and Japan, tamoxifen has been surpassed by 'Arimidex' (anastrozole)
as the most widely prescribed hormonal treatment for post-menopausal women
newly diagnosed with the disease.
The news comes just days prior to the five-year anniversary of the first
presentation of results of the landmark ATAC* trial(1), which many believe
was the catalyst for the wave of treatment change now being seen. Prior to
the ATAC trial, tamoxifen was widely considered the gold standard endocrine
therapy in early breast cancer. However, following the initial results(2) and
further updates from ATAC(3,4), which showed the superiority of 'Arimidex'
over tamoxifen for both efficacy and tolerability, there has been a steady
decrease in the numbers of patients receiving tamoxifen, with doctors
favouring 'Arimidex' instead.
Tamoxifen has been widely credited with driving the dramatic improvements
in survival rates in early breast cancer over the past 10-20 years, reducing
the risk of recurrence by 50% compared with no hormonal treatment(5). Now
experts expect to see even further improvements in the future due to the
additional benefits conferred by 'Arimidex'.
"To my mind, this really does mark a new era in breast cancer treatment,"
said Professor Jeffrey Tobias, Professor of Cancer Medicine at University
College London and one of the ATAC Steering Committee members. "Many cancer
specialists have already recognised the additional benefits of anastrozole
and have been prescribing it for some time, based on solid clinical evidence.
It is now increasingly recognised as the optimal treatment option for many
patients."
Following the initial announcement of early results from the ATAC trial
in 2001(1), mounting evidence has demonstrated that 'Arimidex' offers women
an increased chance of remaining cancer free compared with tamoxifen, coupled
with fewer serious side effects. Over the past five years, key findings from
ATAC have demonstrated 'Arimidex' is associated with substantial efficacy and
tolerability benefits over and above those provided with tamoxifen, including
(4,6):
-- 26% reduction in the risk of recurrence (HR = 0.74, p=0.0002)
-- 53% reduction in the risk of contralateral breast cancer
(HR = 0.47, p=0.001)
-- 16% reduction in the risk of distant recurrence (HR = 0.84,
p=0.06)
-- 13% reduction in the risk of breast cancer mortality (HR =
0.87, p=0.2)
-- A significantly reduced risk of endometrial cancer, DVT and
stroke
Although there is an increased incidence of bone fracture and joint pain
in patients receiving 'Arimidex', these events are considered predictable and
manageable compared with the serious adverse events associated with tamoxifen
(6,7).
The continuing clinical evidence from the ATAC trial, together with major
peer-reviewed publications, recommendations in international and local
guidelines and the assurance generated by what is now over two million years
of patient experience, have all come together to generate this widespread
change in clinical practice. The adoption of 'Arimidex' as a new gold
standard is set to improve outcomes for patients worldwide, and demonstrates
the importance of robust data in providing doctors with the confidence to
change.
"High quality data are essential when evaluating current and new
treatments. Through congresses, publications and guidelines, the
communication routes are there to ensure that physicians are kept up to date
with the latest advancements," added Dr Aman Buzdar of the MD Anderson Cancer
Centre in Texas, and Chair of the ATAC Steering Committee. "The data have
conclusively shown us that more women will stay cancer-free with 'Arimidex'
and fewer will suffer serious side effects. The ultimate rewards are seen in
the day-to-day consultations, with more positive conversations between
physicians and their patients, who have a better chance of remaining
recurrence free."
References
1. Baum M. The ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination)
adjuvant breast cancer trial in postmenopausal (PM) women.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 2001; 69 (3): 210, Abs 8.
2. ATAC Trialists' Group. Anastrozole alone or in combination with
tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for adjuvant treatment of
postmenopausal women with early breast cancer: first results
of the ATAC randomised trial. Lancet 2002; 359 (9324):
2131-2139.
3. ATAC Trialists' Group. Anastrozole alone or in combination with
tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for adjuvant treatment of
postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer - Results
of the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination) trial
efficacy and safety update analyses. Cancer 2003; 98
(9):1802-1810.
4. ATAC Trialists' Group. Results of the ATAC (Arimidex,
Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial after completion of
five years' adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Lancet 2005;
365 (9453): 60-62.
5. Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group. Effects of
chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for early breast cancer on
recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomised
trials. Lancet 2005; 365: 1687-1717.
6. ATAC Trialists' Group. Comprehensive side-effect profile of
anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage
breast cancer: long-term safety analysis of the ATAC trial.
Lancet Oncology 2006; 7 (8): 633-643.
7. Perez EA. The balance between risks and benefits: Long-term
use of aromatase inhibitors. Eur J Cancer Supplements 2006;
S4: 16-25.
For further information, or to view an educational module on
how 'Arimidex' data have influenced prescribing in early breast cancer to
create a new gold standard, please visit our website
http://www.astrazenecapressoffice.com .
Notes to Editors
* ATAC - 'Arimidex', Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged in the
research, development, manufacture and marketing of prescription
pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services. It is one of the
world's leading pharmaceutical companies with healthcare sales of $23.95
billion and leading positions in sales of gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,
neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection products. AstraZeneca is
listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the
FTSE4Good Index.
ARIMIDEX is a trademark, the property of the AstraZeneca group of
companies.
