Novartis drug helps prevent breast cancer recurrence

Postmenopausal women in the trial who switched from placebo to Femara experienced a 69% reduction in the risk that their breast cancer would return. There also was a 72% reduction in the risk that the cancer would spread to a distant part of the body, and 47% reduction in the risk of dying from their disease was also observed.

“These data provide the first clinical evidence that women can benefit from Femara even years after the completion of tamoxifen therapy,” said Dr Paul Goss, director of breast cancer research, Massachusetts General Hospital, and lead investigator in the trial. “The findings may have a substantial impact on the overall treatment outcomes for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer.”

The findings came from a new analysis of women who had been in the placebo arm of the MA-17 trial. In 2003, compelling results of an interim analysis showed that Femara reduced the risk of breast cancer coming back by 42% compared to placebo.

These data prompted an independent data safety monitoring board to recommend the unblinding of study results. Since then, approximately 1,655 women taking placebo have chosen to switch to Femara, while another 613 women did not pursue further treatment.