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PRESS
RELEASE New trial signals kinder breast cancer treatment
The Christie breast cancer patients given a drug which temporarily 'switched off' the ovaries were able to continue working during treatment and had a better quality of life than those, in the same trial, who received conventional chemotherapy. "We used a drug called Zoladex which acts on the pituitary gland in the brain and tells the ovaries to stop production of tumour-boosting oestrogen. Half the patients in the study were treated with Zoladex and half with conventional chemotherapy. Those using Zoladex had a much better quality of life, continued working and did not lose their hair. Most of those receiving chemotherapy temporarily lost their hair and were not well enough to work for about six months," says Consultant Clinical Oncologist and breast cancer specialist Dr Alan Stewart, who led the trial at The Christie. The ten-year study compared Zoladex and chemotherapy as adjuvant therapies - treatment aimed at stopping cancer spreading or returning. All the women taking part had already had surgery and, usually, radiotherapy. Results showed that for both Zoladex and chemotherapy more than 80 per cent of patients were still free of cancer five years later compared with 57 per cent who had no effective adjuvant therapy. "It is standard procedure now to give adjuvant therapy - traditionally chemotherapy - to kill off any remaining cancer cells which may have spread elsewhere in the body but are too small to be detected with scans or x-rays. Zoladex and chemotherapy proved equally effective in preventing the spread or return of cancer, but Zoladex had fewer side effects," says Dr Stewart. "Although Zoladex caused temporary menopausal symptoms such as periods ceasing and hot flushes, these symptoms were reversed as soon as they stopped taking the drug. The women were mainly in their early to mid 40s and all but the older ones became fertile again." The Christie entered 75 patients - the largest number from any single hospital - into the trial which involved 1,640 women and more than 100 cancer centres throughout the world. The study's results have just been presented to the 2nd European Breast Cancer Conference in Brussels. In the late 1940s, eminent Christie consultant Professor Ralston Paterson conducted a trial in which irradiating the ovaries stopped oestrogen production. This was a famous landmark study in that it was the first randomised cancer trial - half the patients had radiotherapy and the rest no treatment. Irradiation proved beneficial in preventing cancer returning but caused an irreversible menopause. Dr Stewart believes there may be a case for re-introducing ovarian irradiation in breast cancer patients who are approaching the menopause and whose ovarian function is decreasing naturally. "This was considered an old fashioned treatment but might now receive a new lease of life," he adds. Ends For more information, please
contact Dr Alan Stewart, tel 0161 446 3641/3414
Following surgery for breast cancer Lynda, from Davyhulme, was referred to The Christie for adjuvant therapy to kill off any remaining cells and agreed to take part in the Zoladex trial. Throughout her treatment with Zoladex Lynda was able to continue working and leading a normal life. She also kept her hair. Although she had menopausal symptoms, they didn't bother her and were reversed as soon as treatment stopped. "With a job, two grown-up children and four grandchildren I have a busy life and was so pleased to have a course of treatment that didn't make me feel ill," said Lynda, who remains free from cancer. |
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