New data on hormonal therapy with goserelin challenge the role of chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer in younger women

For premenopausal women affected by early breast cancer, chemotherapy is currently the accepted treatment approach following initial surgery. Whilst chemotherapy kills cancer cells directly, goserelin - as a hormone therapy - effectively switches off the supply of oestrogen which is known to stimulate many cancers to grow. Hormone therapy avoids the harrowing side-effects of chemotherapy (e.g. hair loss, severe nausea and vomiting and the risk of life threatening infection) which many women find intolerable. New data confirm that goserelin is an equally effective and well-tolerated alternative to chemotherapy for premenopausal, hormone-sensitive disease. Premenopausal women should now be able to discuss with their doctor the treatment options which best suit their needs. /more Research published today at a major international breast cancer conference shows that younger women would have an overwhelming preference for goserelin over chemotherapy. This research, led by Lesley Fallowfield from Cancer Research UK, involved 200 healthy premenopausal women aged 25-49 and reveals that the vast majority of women, when weighing up the pros and cons of each treatment, would choose goserelin therapy over chemotherapy. A questionnaire, compiled with guidance from cancer consultants and specialist breast cancer nurses, was given to healthy volunteers from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. Lesley Fallowfield commented: “Recent data show that hormone therapy with goserelin is at least as effective as chemotherapy in treating younger women with early, hormone responsive breast cancer - the new data we’ve heard here at Nottingham adds further weight to this view. Yet, despite these data and the different impacts that the treatments have on quality of life, many clinicians do not yet offer women the option of goserelin.” “Our research showed that women viewed the side effect profile of goserelin as more acceptable, and valued the chance to retain fertility. When women understand the benefits and harms of treatment options they are in a much better position to make an informed choice, so it is important that they have that opportunity to discuss and agree treatment options with their physician.” In addition, new data from two studies - ABCSG Trial 5 ** and ZEBRA*** - were presented at the conference. The new data update and confirm the previous results of these two key goserelin trials as patients continue to be monitored. After 6 years follow-up, ABCSG Trial 5 shows that the combination of goserelin plus tamoxifen continues to be significantly more effective than standard chemotherapy for relapse-free survival in premenopausal women. Professor Raimund Jakesz, Chairman of the Clinical Department of General Surgery, Surgical University Clinic, Vienna General Hospital, presenting the results at the conference said: “We have followed patients for 6 years now and it is encouraging to see that follow-up data confirm our initial findings. These results are very important for premenopausal women with hormone-sensitive disease because they clearly demonstrate that endocrine treatment with goserelin and tamoxifen has superior efficacy to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been the standard of care for premenopausal women for many years but it is often poorly tolerated.” The updated ZEBRA data, now with 7 years follow-up, shows that goserelin continues to be as effective as chemotherapy in premenopausal women with hormone-sensitive tumours. Professor Roger Blamey, Consultant General Surgeon, Nottingham City Hospital, presenting the results today commented: “We have further evidence that goserelin is as effective as chemotherapy in young women with hormone-sensitive, node positive early breast cancer. Although chemotherapy is effective for many women, it causes traumatic side-effects such as hair loss and nausea. Goserelin offers premenopausal women equal efficacy to chemotherapy without the distressing cytotoxic side effects.” All of these studies highlight the need for greater awareness amongst young women with breast cancer of all the treatment options available to them. Chemotherapy is not necessarily the most appropriate choice.

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Zoladex 3.6mg is approved for the treatment of breast cancer in most countries



* Standard chemotherapy is cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil ** ABCSG Trial 5 – Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study *** ZEBRA – ‘Zoladex’ in Early Breast Cancer Research Association Trial