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Adherence to endocrine therapy for breast cancer
Rowan T Chlebowski1, Michelle L Geller
1Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502-2064, USA. rchlebow@whi.org
Oncology
|March 9, 2007
Summary
Long-term breast cancer hormone therapy adherence is often poor, with 23-50% of patients discontinuing treatment early. This limited adherence may hinder optimal breast cancer treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Hormonal therapies like tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are crucial for breast cancer management.
- Information regarding patient adherence to long-duration hormonal therapy is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the published literature on hormonal therapy adherence in both clinical trials and practice settings for breast cancer.
- To assess the extent of adherence to long-term adjuvant tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitor therapy.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search of the PubMed database was conducted.
- References from manuscripts and conference proceedings were also reviewed.
- Adherence reports were identified in clinical trials and clinical practice settings.
Main Results:
- In clinical trials (≥4 years follow-up), 23-28% of participants prematurely discontinued hormonal therapy (tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors).
- Adherence rates for aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen were similar in clinical trials.
- In clinical practice, 30-50% of patients discontinued adjuvant tamoxifen prematurely in the limited available reports.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to prescribed breast cancer hormone therapy has not been adequately studied.
- Limited evidence suggests that poor long-term hormone therapy adherence may compromise optimal breast cancer treatment.
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