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Tamoxifen may reduce CHD risk via inflammatory mediators

Context

Previous breast cancer trials have demonstrated reductions in cardiac death of between 15% and 60% in women treated with tamoxifen. This study investigated whether tamoxifen reduces the levels of inflammatory markers that are linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

Significant findings

Tamoxifen was shown to reduce levels of C-reactive protein by 26% and fibrinogen levels by 22%, as well as a 9% reduction in cholesterol. All of these reductions were significant compared with the effects of placebo (P <0.01). Specific treatment effects were not noted with factor VII coagulant, fragment 1-2, and triglycerides.

Comments

The authors suggested that a proinflammatory effect of hormone replacement therapy might relate to an increased risk of myocardial infarction shortly after beginning therapy. Differences in the effects of tamoxifen, raloxifene, and estrogen on inflammation markers may prove to have clinical implications for the use of these agents in women at increased cardiovascular risk. The authors noted that, although the epidemiologic evidence relating C-reactive protein and fibrinogen to vascular disease risk is compelling, a cause-effect relationship is not proven. Tamoxifen's lowering effect on these factors might relate either to altered production or degradation. Any clinical consequence of this is unknown. A larger study is now warranted.

Methods

The authors studied 111 women previously enrolled in the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Program P-1 trial. The average age of the women was 58 years and most were postmenopausal. Fifty-one women were randomly assigned to receive tamoxifen 20 mg/day and the remainder took placebo. The study period was 6 months.

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References

  1. Cushman M, Costantino JP, Tracy RP, Song K, Buckley L, Roberts JD, Krag DN: Tamoxifen and cardiac risk factors in healthy women: suggestion of an anti-inflammatory effect. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2001, 21: 225-261.

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Lyford, J. Tamoxifen may reduce CHD risk via inflammatory mediators. Trials 2, 72051 (2001). https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/cvm-2001-72051

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  • DOI: https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1186/cvm-2001-72051

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