A drug commonly used to treat menopause symptoms may have an unexpected benefit: breast cancer prevention. New research from Northwestern University indicates that Duavee, a medication manufactured by Pfizer, significantly reduces breast tissue cell growth, a key indicator of cancer progression.
Study Details
The phase 2 clinical trial involved 141 post-menopausal women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a non-invasive form of breast cancer. DCIS, also known as stage 0 breast cancer, affects approximately 60,000 women in the U.S. annually and can often lead to invasive breast cancer. Participants were divided into two groups, one receiving Duavee and the other a placebo, for one month before undergoing breast surgery.
Duavee combines conjugated estrogen with bazedoxifene (CE/BZA), which minimizes the potential harmful side effects of estrogen.
Key Findings
Dr. Swati Kulkarni, the lead investigator from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, reported that CE/BZA slowed cell growth in the milk ducts of DCIS tumors expressing estrogen receptors more effectively than the placebo. Additionally, patients taking CE/BZA reported fewer hot flashes without a significant impact on their overall quality of life.
Expert Perspectives
While these findings are promising, Dr. Kulkarni emphasizes that further research is necessary before Duavee can be approved as a breast cancer prevention medication. Larger studies with several years of follow-up are needed to confirm these initial results.
Dr. Sheheryar Kabraji, chief of breast medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, noted that the study is preliminary and focused on reducing one specific protein, which doesn’t always predict reduced recurrence of breast cancer. However, he acknowledged that CE/BZA might have fewer side effects than current breast cancer prevention medications and improved menopausal symptoms.
Potential Benefits and Future Research
Duavee may be particularly beneficial for women at higher risk of breast cancer who also experience menopausal symptoms, as they are often advised against standard hormone therapies. Dr. Kulkarni is excited about the possibility that a medication designed to alleviate menopause symptoms could also reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer.
Researchers are encouraged by these early results but stress that this medication is not a treatment for invasive breast cancer or DCIS. For women concerned about their risk of developing breast cancer, Duavee could be an option to manage menopausal symptoms.
The study was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, with findings yet to be published in a medical journal.
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