AstraZeneca’s Arimidex passes two million patient hours

AstraZeneca has announced that Arimidex (anastrozole) has become the first aromatase inhibitor (AI) to pass the two million patient hours milestone, becoming the most widely used drug of its type.

After calls for more research into a possible link between bone disorders and the use of AIs, new research released at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting has shown that women treated with Arimidex who have normal mineral bone density from the start can use the drug for five years, without risk of developing osteoporosis.

Even though Arimidex use does reduce bone mineral density, this slows significantly after the first two years. Separate results also show that the rate of bone fractures among Arimidex users is comparable to the normal rate of the age group.

Another study, which demonstrated the superiority of Arimidex over tamoxifen was also revealed. Dr Buzdar of the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas commented: “Anastrozole has consistently demonstrated that it?s more effective and better tolerated than tamoxifen.”

“It’s not surprising then, that doctors are increasingly choosing it to help their patients stay free from breast cancer after surgery, whilst avoiding some of the unpredictable and sometimes serious side effects that they risk with tamoxifen,” he concluded.

Tamoxifen is the world’s best selling breast cancer drug. Sold under the brand name Nolvadex, it was developed over 25 years ago by ICI’s pharmaceutical division which became Zeneca, now AstraZeneca. Manufacturers such as Barr and Teva now produce it generically.

This month AstraZeneca plans to cease the distribution of Nolvadex-branded tamoxifen in the US because of generic competition.

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