Anti-Estrogens: May Reduce the Risk of Death from Lung Ca

[Barb73]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173829.php

ARTICLE:

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Anti-estrogens as therapy for breast cancer may also reduce the risk of death from lung cancer, according to study results presented at the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, held here Dec. 9-13, 2009.

"We found a reduction in lung cancer mortality among women treated with anti-estrogens for breast cancer. This work builds on previous studies that had suggested estrogens have a role in lung cancer development and progression," said Elisabetta Rapiti, M.D., M.P.H., medical researcher with the Geneva Cancer Registry, University of Geneva, Switzerland.

Rapiti and colleagues evaluated whether anti-estrogen therapy for breast cancer patients reduced their risk of subsequently developing and/or dying from lung cancer.

The study included 6,715 women living in the Geneva canton of Switzerland who were diagnosed with breast cancer, between 1980 and 2003. Forty-six percent of the women received anti-estrogen therapy, primarily tamoxifen.

By the end of the study period, 40 cases of lung cancer developed. There was no difference in the incidence of lung cancer among women with or without anti-estrogens compared with the general population. However, the risk of dying from lung cancer was significantly lower among women who received anti-estrogen therapy.

"Our results are particularly relevant to the research agenda exploring endocrine treatment(s) for lung cancer," said Rapiti. "If prospective studies confirm our results and find that anti-estrogen agents improve lung cancer outcomes, this could have substantial implications for clinical practice." Phase II clinical trials are currently underway in a number of centers to evaluate the use of anti-hormone therapy as an adjunct to traditional chemotherapy for lung cancer, according to Rapiti.

The mission of the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium is to produce a unique and comprehensive scientific meeting that encompasses the full spectrum of breast cancer research, facilitating the rapid translation of new knowledge into better care for breast cancer patients. The Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and Baylor College of Medicine are joint sponsors of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. This collaboration utilizes the clinical strengths of the CTRC and Baylor, and the AACR's scientific prestige in basic, translational and clinical cancer research to expedite the delivery of the latest scientific advances to the clinic. The 32nd annual symposium is expected to draw more than 8,500 participants from more than 90 countries.

Source

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

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(Medical News Today, Main Catefory: Lung Cancer, Also Breast Cancer/Oncology, December 13, 2009)

Disclaimer: The information contained in these articles may or may not be in agreement with my own opinions. They are not being posted with the intention of being medical advice of any kind.

[jaminkw]

Interesting, huh Barbara. I was on Estrogen for five years and was so pissed when a (female) gynie took me off it because of the risk of breast cancer. I protested that I don't have that history in my family. I do have a history of lung cancer though and it could have increased that likelihood too. Katie posted the link on FB so I read it there but thanks for posting it for all our members.

Judy in Key West

[Barb73]

Judy,

When I read it in my morning emails, it occurred to me that when I had a hysterectomy years ago, the doctor didn't put me on estrogen therapy. I thought he was being "insensitive."

Happily, I didn't take it, but have taken a liking to soy products (which, btw, contain estrogen). Hmmm

Soy is "supposed" to be a good thing, but......

Also beer contains estrogen. I used to love a cold beer with a hot dog (with saurkraut). Hope that didn't occur too many times.

You know, the more we read, the more we understand that this is one very complex and complicated disease. Oddly, I do believe they will come to understand it better ..... from my thoughts to God's ears.

Bill loved his soy cheese, and recently has been put off by it. Why? I don't know. Anyhow, soy is a product containing estrogen. Let's hope that they figure it all out sooooon.

Barbara

[gpawelski]

High-dose tamoxifen (anti-estrogen therapy) had been turning up, over the years, with very nice responses in cell culture assays. It turned up synergistic in brain tumors, lung cancers, ovarian cancers and the like. It's not just for breast cancer.

However, frequentist scientists feel anecdotal evidence isn't enough. They are from Missouri, show me a randomized study with a large enough population that clearly shows the survival advantage.

Iressa has the ability to eliminate cross-talk (between human chromosome ends and the protein complexes central to the stability of the entire human genome, a 'chat' that contributes to cancer development) and restore tamoxifen's antitumor effects are tested and analysed in cell culture labs.

Navelbine is often potentiated by high-dose tamoxifen on in vitro testing. Tamoxifen at concentrations of 2.5 micromolar or greater significantly inhibits the P-glycoprotein multidrug resistant membrane pump, as well as inhibiting protein kinase C.

In most patients, this level can be achieved starting the day before, the day of, and the day after chemotherapy. It is usually well tolerated, though some patients have GI side effects, and some have headaches which often respond well to Imitrex or similar anti-migraine medications.

Source: Cell Function Analysis

[Barb73]

Thank you, Greg, once again for being on top of the information.

Barbara