Gel Therapy May Prevent Breast Cancer

A new gel containing tamoxifen may be a well-tolerated treatment for the prevention of breast cancer, according to the results of a several studies published in the May 2005 issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The studies compared the effects of oral tamoxifen with 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT), a tamoxifen-containing gel, in 55 women with invasive estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. The results showed that the gel produced the same reductions in tumor tissue proliferation as those produced by oral tamoxifen. Plasma levels of 4-OHT were dramatically lower in the gel group than in the oral tamoxifen group. The gel was found to be well tolerated. Use of the gel would avoid adverse systemic effects such as blood clots, endometrial cancer, and early onset of menopausal symptoms caused by oral tamoxifen. The trial was led by Dr. Philippe Rouanet of the Centre Val D'Aurelle (Montpellier, France).

The gel is an alcohol-based, transdermal anti-estrogen administered directly to the breast skin. It is currently in clinical trials as a treatment for benign breast disease. The treatment was developed by Ascend Therapeutics (Herndon, VA, USA).

"Dr. Rouanet's study is noteworthy because it provides evidence to support the further investigation of 4-OHT gel in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer or reducing the chance that cancer will recur,” said Jay Bua, president and CEO of Ascend.




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