Tamoxifen 5 mg as Effective as 20-mg Daily in Early Localized Breast Cancer

May 2019 Vol 10, No 5

Categories:

Breast Cancer

The large, randomized TAM-01 clinical trial demonstrated that 5-mg daily of tamoxifen for 3 years halved the risk for recurrence of breast intraepithelial neoplasia—atypical ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and lobular carcinoma in situ—in women after surgery and reduced the risk for new contralateral breast cancer by 75% compared with placebo.

The reduction in the risk for recurrent or new breast cancer is in line with results achieved with the use of tamoxifen 20-mg daily for 5 years, which has been the standard treatment (with or without radiation) in this setting.

“Tamoxifen 20 mg per day has troublesome side effects, including endometrial cancer, deep vein thrombosis, and menopausal symptoms, which pose a barrier to adherence for prevention. We hypothesized that a much lower dose given for shorter duration was as effective as, and less toxic, than standard tamoxifen,” said lead investigator Andrea De Censi, MD, Director, Medical Oncology Unit, National Hospital E.O. Ospedali Galliera, Genoa, Italy, at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

“Our data show that in a randomized trial, low-dose tamoxifen was effective….without causing significant serious adverse events or any increase in menopausal symptoms,” he said. “Therefore, we strongly believe that these data are practice changing.”

The study randomized 500 women with atypical ductal hyperplasia, DCIS, or lobular carcinoma in situ after surgery, with or without radiation, to low-dose tamoxifen for 3 years or to placebo. The patients were seen every 3 months and had an annual mammogram.

“We did not compare it with 20 mg per day of tamoxifen, because the cost would be prohibitive on our limited budget from nonprofits and the government,” Dr De Censi explained.

AT A GLANCE

  • ❯ The use of 5-mg daily of tamoxifen for 3 years halved the risk for the recurrence of breast intraepithelial neoplasia in women after surgery
  • ❯ The 5-mg dose reduced the risk for new contralateral breast cancer by 75% compared with placebo
  • ❯ The reduced risk for recurrent or new breast cancer is consistent with results from standard treatment with tamoxifen 20-mg daily for 5 years

The TAM-01 Study Results

At a median follow-up of 5 years, 14 of the 253 patients (5.5%) in the low-dose tamoxifen arm versus 28 of the 247 patients (11.3%) in the placebo arm had breast cancer recurrence or new breast cancer. Thus, low-dose tamoxifen reduced the risk for new or recurring disease by 52% compared with placebo.

Among patients with a contralateral breast cancer recurrence or new disease, 3 of the 14 women in the tamoxifen arm and 12 of the 28 women in the placebo arm had invasive breast cancer, and 11 and 18 women, respectively, had breast intraepithelial neoplasia.

“The decrease in contralateral breast cancer events was based on only 15 events, so we need to be cautious,” Dr De Censi stated.

A total of 12 serious adverse events were reported in the low-dose tamoxifen arm versus 16 events in the placebo arm. Only 1 deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism occurred in each arm, and 1 case of endometrial cancer was reported in the low-dose tamoxifen arm.

Low-dose tamoxifen did not substantially increase tamoxifen-associated side effects. Based on patient self-reports, an increase in hot flashes in the tamoxifen group versus the placebo group was of borderline significance, “amounting to about 1 extra hot flash per day,” Dr De Censi said. No differences were found between the treatment arms in the rates of vaginal dryness, painful sexual intercourse, and musculoskeletal events.

“Our results have external validity and are generalizable. Tamoxifen 10 mg every other day is applicable in clinical practice from tomorrow on,” Dr De Censi stated, adding that tamoxifen is available in 10-mg tablets only. “You can cut the tablet in half starting tomorrow,” he told listeners.

“I would definitely give lower doses of tamoxifen to the ADH [atypical ductal hyperplasia] and LCIS [lobular carcinoma in situ] patients, and if I have a DCIS patient who is not tolerating the 20-mg dose, I would be extremely happy to give that patient 5 mg per day,” said Virginia Kaklamani, MD, Leader, Breast Cancer Program, UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, who commented on the study.

Related Articles
Key Breast Cancer Abstracts in 2023 and Innovations in Ovarian Function Suppression:
Matteo Lambertini, MD, PhD, Erica Stringer-Reasor, MD, Director, Sara M. Tolaney, MD, MPH
|
Video Library
Please join Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Center, Boston, MA; Erica Stringer-Reasor, MD, University of Alabama, Birmingham; and Matteo Lambertini, MD, PhD, University of Genoa, Italy, as they provide expert commentary on key breast cancer abstracts presented at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meetings that will impact young women with ER+/HER2- breast cancer.
Navigating Oral Therapy in Breast Cancer: Practice Strategies to Promote Medication Adherence
Video Library
The Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) and Eli Lilly and Company Medical Affairs are pleased to present a live webinar designed to facilitate conversations with patients regarding adherence to breast cancer treatments. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in a live Q&A following the presentation.
Improving Adherence to Oral Oncolytics in Breast Cancer: The Pivotal Role of Nurse Navigators
September 2022 Vol 13, No 9
Oral oncolytic drugs have a multitude of benefits for patients, including ease of use, improved quality of life, fewer clinic visits, and no need for IV therapy.
Last modified: August 10, 2023

Subscribe Today!

To sign up for our print publication or e-newsletter, please enter your contact information below.

I'd like to receive:

  • First Name *
    Last Name *
     
     
    Profession or Role
    Primary Specialty or Disease State
    Country