More than 150 local women spent the last five to six years taking two pills every day in hopes of potentially preventing breast cancer. Carle Clinic’s Cancer Center screened the women to determine if they were eligible to take part in the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) trials. The results of that study, out this week, show that raloxifene, currently used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, works as well as tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women at increased risk of the disease. At the present time raloxifene is associated with fewer detrimental side effects than tamoxifen.
Data from the study show that participants taking raloxifene had a lower risk of developing uterine cancers or endometrial cancers, fewer deep vein thromboses, and fewer strokes than those participants who took tamoxifen.
Women who took part in the national study were seen twice yearly at Carle Clinic for breast exams, and underwent an annual mammogram. The participants will be followed throughout their lifetime. Women on the study have been informed of the medicine they were taking and in the future will have the option to continue or switch medicines.
“These women made a commitment to take part in this research. They wanted not only to make a difference in their own lives, but also in the lives of their sisters, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters. We are proud of their accomplishment and to be a part of the STAR trial,” said Kendrith Rowland, MD, principal investigator of the trial and head of cancer research at Carle Clinic Association.
Carle Cancer Center has been involved in clinical research for more than 20 years. The Cancer Center is one of the largest cancer research programs in downstate Illinois. Currently Carle Cancer Center has more than 190 ongoing trials in conjunction with Mayo Clinic, the National Cancer Institute and other prestigious cancer centers, and pharmaceutical companies. This research includes cancer treatment and symptom management studies, as well as cancer prevention protocols.
Similar initiatives are also ongoing in cardiology, neurology, and other areas of the Clinic. Carle Clinic is recognized by the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, and industry as a valuable asset for clinical research and is regularly approached to bring advanced therapies and technologies to the forefront of patient care.
“The visibility of trials at Carle Clinic will become much more pronounced in the next year as we look to further cement the recognition of Carle as a regional site for the availability of the newest therapies and technologies,” said David Graham, MD, Medical Director of non-Oncologic research at Carle Clinic Association.
Dr. Graham explains, “In addition, with the assistance of Carle Foundation, we are moving forward to combine the expertise of basic scientists at the University of Illinois with the clinical expertise of our doctors to help develop those new therapies and technologies.” Dr. Graham recently published a podcast on the benefits of clinical trials. It can be downloaded by visiting www.carlecast.com.
This STAR study is the second breast cancer prevention trial by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). The NSABP is a clinical trials cooperative group supported by the National Cancer Institute. The group has a 40-year history of conducting clinical trials that have changed the way breast cancer is treated.
Raloxifene is on the market under the name Evista, which is produced by Eli Lilly Company. Tamoxifen is sold under the brand name Nolvadex by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Each company provided the medication to study participants for free.