A New Gold Standard in Early Breast Cancer as Arimidex(TM) (Anastrozole) Overtakes Tamoxifen

Macclesfield, England (ots/PRNewswire) -

- More Patients Set to Benefit as Weight of Evidence for
'Arimidex' Prompts Wave of Change

- For Health Professional and Consumer Press Only

- FOR INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS - NOT FOR US MEDIA

Today, for the first time in over 20 years, a new gold standard
treatment has emerged for postmenopausal women with early breast
cancer. In the US, some European countries and Japan, tamoxifen has
been surpassed by 'Arimidex' (anastrozole) as the most widely
prescribed hormonal treatment for post-menopausal women newly
diagnosed with the disease.

The news comes just days prior to the five-year anniversary of the
first presentation of results of the landmark ATAC* trial(1), which
many believe was the catalyst for the wave of treatment change now
being seen. Prior to the ATAC trial, tamoxifen was widely considered
the gold standard endocrine therapy in early breast cancer. However,
following the initial results(2) and further updates from ATAC(3,4),
which showed the superiority of 'Arimidex' over tamoxifen for both
efficacy and tolerability, there has been a steady decrease in the
numbers of patients receiving tamoxifen, with doctors favouring
'Arimidex' instead.

Tamoxifen has been widely credited with driving the dramatic
improvements in survival rates in early breast cancer over the past
10-20 years, reducing the risk of recurrence by 50% compared with no
hormonal treatment(5). Now experts expect to see even further
improvements in the future due to the additional benefits conferred
by 'Arimidex'.

"To my mind, this really does mark a new era in breast cancer
treatment," said Professor Jeffrey Tobias, Professor of Cancer
Medicine at University College London and one of the ATAC Steering
Committee members. "Many cancer specialists have already recognised
the additional benefits of anastrozole and have been prescribing it
for some time, based on solid clinical evidence. It is now
increasingly recognised as the optimal treatment option for many
patients."

Following the initial announcement of early results from the ATAC
trial in 2001(1), mounting evidence has demonstrated that 'Arimidex'
offers women an increased chance of remaining cancer free compared
with tamoxifen, coupled with fewer serious side effects. Over the
past five years, key findings from ATAC have demonstrated 'Arimidex'
is associated with substantial efficacy and tolerability benefits
over and above those provided with tamoxifen, including(4,6):

- 26% reduction in the risk of recurrence (HR = 0.74, p=0.0002)

- 53% reduction in the risk of contralateral breast cancer (HR =
0.47, p=0.001)

- 16% reduction in the risk of distant recurrence (HR = 0.84,
p=0.06)

- 13% reduction in the risk of breast cancer mortality (HR = 0.87,
p=0.2)

- A significantly reduced risk of endometrial cancer, DVT and
stroke

Although there is an increased incidence of bone fracture and
joint pain in patients receiving 'Arimidex', these events are
considered predictable and manageable compared with the serious
adverse events associated with tamoxifen(6,7).

The continuing clinical evidence from the ATAC trial, together
with major peer-reviewed publications, recommendations in
international and local guidelines and the assurance generated by
what is now over two million years of patient experience, have all
come together to generate this widespread change in clinical
practice. The adoption of 'Arimidex' as a new gold standard is set to
improve outcomes for patients worldwide, and demonstrates the
importance of robust data in providing doctors with the confidence to
change.

"High quality data are essential when evaluating current and new
treatments. Through congresses, publications and guidelines, the
communication routes are there to ensure that physicians are kept up
to date with the latest advancements," added Dr Aman Buzdar of the MD
Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas, and Chair of the ATAC Steering
Committee. "The data have conclusively shown us that more women will
stay cancer-free with 'Arimidex' and fewer will suffer serious side
effects. The ultimate rewards are seen in the day-to-day
consultations, with more positive conversations between physicians
and their patients, who have a better chance of remaining recurrence
free."

References

1. Baum M. The ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination)
adjuvant breast cancer trial in postmenopausal (PM) women. Breast
Cancer Res Treat 2001; 69 (3): 210, Abs 8.

2. ATAC Trialists' Group. Anastrozole alone or in combination with
tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for adjuvant treatment of
postmenopausal women with early breast cancer: first results of the
ATAC randomised trial. Lancet 2002; 359 (9324): 2131-2139.

3. ATAC Trialists' Group. Anastrozole alone or in combination with
tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for adjuvant treatment of
postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer - Results of the
ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination) trial efficacy and
safety update analyses. Cancer 2003; 98 (9):1802-1810.

4. ATAC Trialists' Group. Results of the ATAC (Arimidex,
Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial after completion of five
years' adjuvant treatment for breast cancer. Lancet 2005; 365 (9453):
60-62.

5. Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group. Effects of
chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for early breast cancer on
recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomised
trials. Lancet 2005; 365: 1687-1717.

6. ATAC Trialists' Group. Comprehensive side-effect profile of
anastrozole and tamoxifen as adjuvant treatment for early-stage
breast cancer: long-term safety analysis of the ATAC trial. Lancet
Oncology 2006; 7 (8): 633-643.

7. Perez EA. The balance between risks and benefits: Long-term use
of aromatase inhibitors. Eur J Cancer Supplements 2006; S4: 16-25.

For further information, or to view an educational module on how
'Arimidex' data have influenced prescribing in early breast cancer to
create a new gold standard, please visit our website
www.astrazenecapressoffice.com

Notes to Editors

* ATAC - 'Arimidex', Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination

AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged
in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of
prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services.
It is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with
healthcare sales of $23.95 billion and leading positions in sales of
gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology
and infection products. AstraZeneca is listed in the Dow Jones
Sustainability Index (Global) as well as the FTSE4Good Index.

ARIMIDEX is a trademark, the property of the AstraZeneca group of
companies.

ots Originaltext: AstraZeneca
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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