Endoxifen for mammographic density reduction-results from the KARISMA endoxifen trial

(Z)-endoxifen is the tamoxifen metabolite that possesses the highest affinity to the estrogen receptor and is evolving as an alternative to tamoxifen. Mammographic breast density (MBD) change has been shown to be a proxy for tamoxifen therapy response. The objective was to measure the effect of 2 different doses of (Z)-endoxifen on MBD, safety, and side effects in healthy women.

Healthy premenopausal women included in the national Swedish screening program in Stockholm were invited to KARISMA Endoxifen, a proof of principle, dose determining, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Women were randomly assigned to placebo or 1 or 2 mg of (Z)-endoxifen daily for 6 months.

In all, 240 women were randomly assigned. There was a significant relative change in MBD in both (Z)-endoxifen arms compared to placebo: -19.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = -6.15% to -32.4%) in the 1 mg arm and -26.5% (95% CI = -14.1% to -38.9%) in the 2 mg arm. The number of participants discontinuing because of adverse events related to the investigational medicinal product was 4 (placebo), 5 (1 mg), and 11 (2 mg), respectively. Participants on 2 mg of (Z)-endoxifen reported significantly higher scores of vasomotor symptoms, compared with placebo. No clinically significant changes in hematological safety tests or vital signs were noted.

Both 1 and 2 mg of (Z)-endoxifen significantly reduced MBD to a degree comparable to the established 20 mg dose of tamoxifen. The 1 mg dosage of (Z)-endoxifen indicated superior tolerability. Future studies are necessary to confirm impact on breast cancer incidence.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05068388.