Tamoxifen Citrate (Page 3 of 9)

Reduction in Breast Cancer Incidence in High Risk Women:

The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT, NSABP P-1) was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a primary objective to determine whether 5 years of tamoxifen citrate therapy (20 mg/day) would reduce the incidence of invasive breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE). Secondary objectives included an evaluation of the incidence of ischemic heart disease; the effects on the incidence of bone fractures; and other events that might be associated with the use of tamoxifen citrate, including: endometrial cancer, pulmonary embolus, deep vein thrombosis, stroke, and cataract formation and surgery (See WARNINGS).

The Gail Model was used to calculate predicted breast cancer risk for women who were less than 60 years of age and did not have lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). The following risk factors were used: age; number of first-degree female relatives with breast cancer; previous breast biopsies; presence or absence of atypical hyperplasia; nulliparity; age at first live birth; and age at menarche. A 5-year predicted risk of breast cancer of ≥ 1.67% was required for entry into the trial.

In this trial, 13,388 women of at least 35 years of age were randomized to receive either tamoxifen citrate or placebo for five years. The median duration of treatment was 3.5 years. As of January 31, 1998, follow-up data is available for 13,114 women. Twenty-seven percent of women randomized to placebo (1,782) and 24% of women randomized to tamoxifen citrate (1,596) completed 5 years of therapy. The demographic characteristics of women on the trial with follow-up data are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Demographic Characteristics of Women in the NSABP P-1 Trial

Characteristic Placebo Tamoxifen
# % # %
Age (yrs.)
35 to 39 184 3 158 2
40 to 49 2,394 36 2,411 37
50 to 59 2,011 31 2,019 31
60 to 69 1,588 24 1,563 24
≥70 393 6 393 6
Age at first live birth (yrs.)Nulliparous 1,202 18 1,205 18
12 to 19 915 14 946 15
20 to 24 2,448 37 2,449 37
25 to 29 1,399 21 1,367 21
≥30 606 9 577 9
Race
White 6,333 96 6,323 96
Black 109 2 103 2
Other 128 2 118 2
Age at menarche
≥14 1,243 19 1,170 18
12 to 13 3,610 55 3,610 55
≤11 1,717 26 1,764 27
# of first degree relatives with breast cancer
0 1,584 24 1,525 23
1 3,714 57 3,744 57
2+ 1,272 19 1,275 20
Prior Hysterectomy
No 4,173 63.5 4,018 62.4
Yes 2,397 36.5 2,464 37.7
# of previous breast biopsies
0 2,935 45 2,923 45
1 1,833 28 1,850 28
≥2 1,802 27 1,771 27
History of atypical hyperplasia in the breast
No 5,958 91 5,969 91
Yes 612 9 575 9
History of LCIS at entry
No 6,165 94 6,135 94
Yes 405 6 409 6
5-year predicted breast cancer risk (%)
≤2.00 1,646 25 1,626 25
2.01 to 3.00 2,028 31 2,057 31
3.01 to 5.00 1,787 27 1,707 26
≥5.01 1,109 17 1,162 18
Total 6,570 100.0 6,544 100.0

Results are shown in Table 3. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, the incidence of invasive breast cancer was reduced by 44% among women assigned to tamoxifen citrate (86 cases- tamoxifen citrate, 156 cases-placebo; p<0.00001; relative risk (RR)=0.56, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.72). A reduction in the incidence of breast cancer was seen in each prospectively specified age group (≤ 49, 50 to 59, ≥ 60), in women with or without LCIS, and in each of the absolute risk levels specified in Table 3. A non-significant decrease in the incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) was seen (23- tamoxifen citrate, 35-placebo; RR=0.66; 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.11).

There was no statistically significant difference in the number of myocardial infarctions, severe angina, or acute ischemic cardiac events between the two groups (61- tamoxifen citrate, 59-placebo; RR=1.04, 95% CI: 0.73 to 1.49).

No overall difference in mortality (53 deaths in tamoxifen citrate group vs. 65 deaths in placebo group) was present. No difference in breast cancer-related mortality was observed (4 deaths in tamoxifen citrate group vs. 5 deaths in placebo group).

Although there was a non-significant reduction in the number of hip fractures (9 on tamoxifen citrate, 20 on placebo) in the tamoxifen citrate group, the number of wrist fractures was similar in the two treatment groups (69 on tamoxifen citrate, 74 on placebo). A subgroup analysis of the P-1 trial, suggests a difference in effect in bone mineral density (BMD) related to menopausal status in patients receiving tamoxifen citrate. In postmenopausal women there was no evidence of bone loss of the lumbar spine and hip. Conversely, tamoxifen citrate was associated with significant bone loss of the lumbar spine and hip in premenopausal women.

The risks of tamoxifen citrate therapy include endometrial cancer, DVT, PE, stroke, cataract formation and cataract surgery (See Table 3). In the NSABP P-1 trial, 33 cases of endometrial cancer were observed in the tamoxifen citrate group vs. 14 in the placebo group (RR=2.48, 95% CI: 1.27 to 4.92). Deep vein thrombosis was observed in 30 women receiving tamoxifen citrate vs. 19 in women receiving placebo (RR=1.59, 95% CI: 0.86 to 2.98). Eighteen cases of pulmonary embolism were observed in the tamoxifen citrate group vs. 6 in the placebo group (RR=3.01, 95% CI: 1.15 to 9.27). There were 34 strokes on the tamoxifen citrate arm and 24 on the placebo arm (RR=1.42; 95% CI: 0.82 to 2.51). Cataract formation in women without cataracts at baseline was observed in 540 women taking tamoxifen citrate vs. 483 women receiving placebo (RR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.28). Cataract surgery (with or without cataracts at baseline) was performed in 201 women taking tamoxifen citrate vs. 129 women receiving placebo (RR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.89) (See WARNINGS).

Table 3 summarizes the major outcomes of the NSABP P-1 trial. For each endpoint, the following results are presented: the number of events and rate per 1000 women per year for the placebo and tamoxifen citrate groups; and the relative risk (RR) and its associated 95% confidence interval (CI) between tamoxifen citrate and placebo. Relative risks less than 1.0 indicate a benefit of tamoxifen citrate therapy. The limits of the confidence intervals can be used to assess the statistical significance of the benefits or risks of tamoxifen citrate therapy. If the upper limit of the CI is less than 1.0, then a statistically significant benefit exists.

For most participants, multiple risk factors would have been required for eligibility. This table considers risk factors individually, regardless of other co-existing risk factors, for women who developed breast cancer. The 5-year predicted absolute breast cancer risk accounts for multiple risk factors in an individual and should provide the best estimate of individual benefit (See INDICATIONS AND USAGE).

Table 3. Major Outcomes of the NSABP P-1 Trial

TYPE OF EVENT # OF EVENTS RATE/1000 WOMEN/YEAR 95% CI
PLACEBO TAMOXIFEN CITRATE PLACEBO TAMOXIFEN CITRATE RR LIMITS
Invasive Breast Cancer 156 86 6.49 3.58 0.56 0.43 to 0.72
Age ≤49 59 38 6.34 4.11 0.65 0.43 to 0.98
Age 50 to 59 46 25 6.31 3.53 0.56 0.35 to 0.91
Age ≥60 51 23 7.17 3.22 0.45 0.27 to 0.74
Risk Factors for Breast Cancer History, LCIS
No 140 78 6.23 3.51 0.56 0.43 to 0.74
Yes 16 8 12.73 6.33 0.50 0.21 to 1.17
History, Atypical HyperplasiaNo 138 84 6.37 3.89 0.61 0.47 to 0.80
Yes 18 2 8.69 1.05 0.12 0.03 to 0.52
No. First Degree Relatives0 32 17 5.97 3.26 0.55 0.30 to 0.98
1 80 45 5.81 3.31 0.57 0.40 to 0.82
2 35 18 8.92 4.67 0.52 0.30 to 0.92
≥3 9 6 13.33 7.58 0.57 0.20 to 1.59
5-Year Predicted Breast Cancer Risk (as calculated by the Gail Model)
≤2.00% 31 13 5.36 2.26 0.42 0.22 to 0.81
2.01 to 3.00% 39 28 5.25 3.83 0.73 0.45 to 1.18
3.01 to 5.00% 36 26 5.37 4.06 0.76 0.46 to 1.26
≥5.00% 50 19 13.15 4.71 0.36 0.21 to 0.61
DCIS 35 23 1.47 0.97 0.66 0.39 to 1.11
Fractures (protocol-specified sites) 921 761 3.87 3.20 0.61 0.83 to 1.12
Hip 20 9 0.84 0.38 0.45 0.18 to 1.04
Wrist2 74 69 3.11 2.91 0.93 0.67 to 1.29
Total Ischemic Events 59 61 2.47 2.57 1.04 0.71 to 1.51
Myocardial Infarction 27 27 1.13 1.13 1.00 0.57 to 1.78
Fatal 8 7 0.33 0.29 0.88 0.27 to 2.77
Nonfatal 19 20 0.79 0.84 1.06 0.54 to 2.09
Angina3 12 12 0.50 0.50 1.00 0.41 to 2.44
Acute Ischemic Syndrome4 20 22 0.84 0.92 1.11 0.58 to 2.13
Uterine Malignancies (among women with an intact uterus)10 17 57
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma10 17 53 0.71 2.20
Uterine Sarcoma10 0 4 0.0 0.17
Stroke5 24 34 1.00 1.43 1.42 0.82 to 2.51
Transient Ischemic Attack 21 18 0.88 0.75 0.86 0.43 to 1.70
Pulmonary Emboli6 6 18 0.25 0.75 3.01 1.15 to 9.27
Deep-Vein Thrombosis7 19 30 0.79 1.26 1.59 0.86 to 2.98
Cataracts Developing on Study8 483 540 22.51 25.41 1.13 1.00 to 1.28
Underwent Cataract Surgery8 63 101 2.83 4.57 1.62 1.18 to 2.22
Underwent Cataract Surgery9 129 201 5.44 8.56 1.58 1.26 to 1.97
1 Two women had hip and wrist fractures2 Includes Colles’ and other lower radius fractures3 Requiring angioplasty or CABG4 New Q-wave on ECG; no angina or elevation of serum enzymes; or angina requiring hospitalization without surgery5 Seven cases were fatal; three in the placebo group and four in the tamoxifen citrate group6 Three cases in the tamoxifen citrate group were fatal7 All but three cases in each group required hospitalization8 Based on women without cataracts at baseline (6,230-Placebo, 6,199-Tamoxifen Citrate)9 All women (6,707-Placebo, 6,681-Tamoxifen Citrate)10 Updated long-term follow-up data (median 6.9 years) from NSABP P-1 study added after cut-off for the other information in this table.

Table 4 describes the characteristics of the breast cancers in the NSABP P-1 trial and includes tumor size, nodal status, ER status. Tamoxifen citrate decreased the incidence of small estrogen receptor positive tumors, but did not alter the incidence of estrogen receptor negative tumors or larger tumors.

Table 4. Characteristics of Breast Cancer in NSABP P-1 Trial

Staging Parameter Placebo N=156 Tamoxifen N=86 Total N=242
Tumor Size: T1 117 60 177
T2 28 20 48
T3 7 3 10
T4 1 2 3
Unknown 3 1 4
Nodal status: Negative 103 56 159
1 to 3 positive nodes 29 14 43
≥4 positive nodes 10 12 22
Unknown 14 4 18
Stage: I 88 47 135
II: node negative 15 9 24
II: node positive 33 22 55
III 6 4 10
IV 21 1 3
Unknown Estrogen receptor: Positive 12115 338 15153
Negative 27 36 63
Unknown 14 12 26
1 One participant presented with a suspicious bone scan but did not have documented metastases. She subsequently died of metastatic breast cancer.

Interim results from 2 trials in addition to the NSABP P-1 trial examining the effects of tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer incidence have been reported.

The first was the Italian Tamoxifen Prevention trial. In this trial women between the ages of 35 and 70, who had had a total hysterectomy, were randomized to receive 20 mg tamoxifen or matching placebo for 5 years. The primary endpoints were occurrence of, and death from, invasive breast cancer. Women without any specific risk factors for breast cancer were to be entered. Between 1992 and 1997, 5408 women were randomized. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) was used in 14% of participants. The trial closed in 1997 due to the large number of dropouts during the first year of treatment (26%). After 46 months of follow-up there were 22 breast cancers in women on placebo and 19 in women on tamoxifen. Although no decrease in breast cancer incidence was observed, there was a trend for a reduction in breast cancer among women receiving protocol therapy for at least 1 year (19-placebo, 11- tamoxifen). The small numbers of participants along with the low level of risk in this otherwise healthy group precluded an adequate assessment of the effect of tamoxifen in reducing the incidence of breast cancer.

The second trial, the Royal Marsden Trial (RMT) was reported as an interim analysis. The RMT was begun in 1986 as a feasibility study of whether larger scale trials could be mounted. The trial was subsequently extended to a pilot trial to accrue additional participants to further assess the safety of tamoxifen. Twenty-four hundred and seventy-one women were entered between 1986 and 1996; they were selected on the basis of a family history of breast cancer. HRT was used in 40% of participants. In this trial, with a 70 month median follow-up, 34 and 36 breast cancers (8 noninvasive, 4 on each arm) were observed among women on tamoxifen and placebo, respectively. Patients in this trial were younger than those in the NSABP P-1 trial and may have been more likely to develop ER (-) tumors, which are unlikely to be reduced in number by tamoxifen therapy. Although women were selected on the basis of family history and were thought to have a high risk of breast cancer, few events occurred, reducing the statistical power of the study. These factors are potential reasons why the RMT may not have provided an adequate assessment of the effectiveness of tamoxifen in reducing the incidence of breast cancer.

In these trials, an increased number of cases of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolus, stroke, and endometrial cancer were observed on the tamoxifen arm compared to the placebo arm. The frequency of events was consistent with the safety data observed in the NSABP P-1 trial.

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