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Reduced Risks of Fractures and Cancer Associated with Lasonfoxifene Use

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Lasofoxifene, a medication developed to prevent osteoporosis and treat postmenopausal women, has been shown to have a significant impact on reducing the risk of fractures, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease. According to a study published in the New U.K. Journal of Medicine, lasofoxifene was associated with reduced risks of vertebral and nonvertebral fractures, as well as estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, coronary heart disease, and stroke. However, the medication also increased the risk of venous thromboembolic events.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study, conducted by S.R. Cummings and colleagues, involved 8556 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who were assigned to receive lasofoxifene or placebo for 5 years.
  • The primary end points of the study were vertebral fractures, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, and nonvertebral fractures, while secondary end points included major coronary heart disease events and stroke.
  • Lasofoxifene at a dose of 0.5 mg per day was associated with reduced risks of vertebral fracture (13.1 cases vs. 22.4 cases per 1000 person-years), nonvertebral fracture (18.7 vs. 24.5 cases per 1000 person-years), ER-positive breast cancer (0.3 vs. 1.7 cases per 1000 person-years), coronary heart disease events (5.1 vs. 7.5 cases per 1000 person-years), and stroke (2.5 vs. 3.9 cases per 1000 person-years).
  • The medication was also associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (3.8 and 2.9 cases vs. 1.4 cases per 1000 person-years) among both the lower and higher doses.
  • The researchers concluded that lasofoxifene at a dose of 0.5 mg per day was associated with reduced risks of fractures and cancer, but also increased the risk of venous thromboembolic events.

Statistics:

  • 8556 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis participated in the study.
  • The study lasted for 5 years.
  • The primary end points of the study were vertebral fractures, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, and nonvertebral fractures.
  • The risks associated with lasofoxifene were:

* Vertebral fractures: 13.1 cases vs. 22.4 cases per 1000 person-years

* Nonvertebral fractures: 18.7 vs. 24.5 cases per 1000 person-years

* ER-positive breast cancer: 0.3 vs. 1.7 cases per 1000 person-years

* Coronary heart disease events: 5.1 vs. 7.5 cases per 1000 person-years

* Stroke: 2.5 vs. 3.9 cases per 1000 person-years

* Venous thromboembolic events: 3.8 and 2.9 cases vs. 1.4 cases per 1000 person-years

Sources:

  • Cummings S.R., et al. (2010). Lasofoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. New U.K. Journal of Medicine, 362(8), 686-96.
  • ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00141323)
  • Heart Disease Weekly editors (2010)
  • NewsRx.com

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