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β-Adrenergic Receptors : New Target in Breast Cancer
Ting Wang1, Yu Li, Hai-Ling Lu
1Department of Internal Medical Oncology, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Heilongjiang Province, China E-mail : cxs1978@ems.hrbmu.edu.cn; caili@ems.hrbmu.edu.cn.
Background:
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that β-adrenergic receptor antagonists could improve the prognosis of breast cancer. However, the conclusions of clinical and pharmacoepidemiological studies have been inconsistent. This review was conducted to re-assess the relationship between beta-adrenoceptor blockers and breast cancer prognosis.
Materials And Methods:
The literature was searched from PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Nature (Thompson Reuters) databases through using key terms, such as breast cancer and beta- adrenoceptor blockers.
Results:
Ten publications met the inclusion criteria. Six suggested that receiving beta- adrenoceptor blockers reduced the risk of breast cancer-specific mortality, and three of them had statistical significance (hazard ratio (HR)=0.42; 95% CI=0.18-0.97; p=0.042). Two studies reported that risk of recurrence and distant metastasis (DM) were both significantly reduced. One study demonstrated that the risk of relapse- free survival (RFS) was raised significantly with beta-blockers (BBS) (HR= 0.30; 95% CI=0.10-0.87; p=0.027). One reported longer disease-free interval (Log Rank (LR)=6.658; p=0.011) in BBS users, but there was no significant association between overall survival (OS) and BBS (HR= 0.35; 95% CI=0.12-1.0; p=0.05) in five studies.
Conclusions:
Through careful consideration, it is suggested that beta-adrenoceptor blockers use may be associated with improved prognosis in breast cancer patients. Nevertheless, larger size studies are needed to further explore the relationship between beta-blocker drug use and breast cancer prognosis.
Insights
Beta-blocker use may improve breast cancer prognosis, potentially reducing mortality and metastasis risk. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings for beta-adrenoceptor blockers in breast cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Preclinical data suggest beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists may improve breast cancer outcomes.
- Clinical and pharmacoepidemiological studies show inconsistent results regarding beta-blocker use and breast cancer prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the association between beta-adrenoceptor blockers and breast cancer prognosis.
- To synthesize evidence from existing literature on beta-blocker drug use and patient outcomes in breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Nature databases.
- Inclusion of studies investigating beta-adrenoceptor blockers and breast cancer prognosis.
- Key search terms included 'breast cancer' and 'beta-adrenoceptor blockers'.
Main Results:
- Six of ten studies indicated reduced breast cancer-specific mortality with beta-blocker use.
- Two studies reported significant reductions in recurrence and distant metastasis risk.
- One study showed increased relapse-free survival, while overall survival association was not consistently significant.
Conclusions:
- Beta-adrenoceptor blocker use may be linked to improved breast cancer prognosis.
- Evidence suggests potential benefits in reducing mortality and metastasis.
- Larger studies are required to definitively establish the relationship between beta-blocker use and breast cancer outcomes.
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