Aromasin (Pfizer) found to lower 'good' cholesterol levels in Breast Cancer patients

Aromasin (exemestane), from Pfizer, steadily lowered levels of "good" cholesterol in women taking the agent as part of a Breast Cancer prevention study, say researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center who presented results at the CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. They suggest that the effect this agent has on blood lipids may prove to be significant for women at high risk for heart disease due to elevated blood cholesterol, although no such effects have been seen yet in patients studied over two years of treatment. This Phase II study of 31 patients showed that the absolute change from the baseline HDL level at 3, 12, and 24 months were -8.0 mg/dL, -8.5 mg/dL, and -9.9 mg/dL, respectively. The rest of the lipid panel, including LDL (the bad cholesterol) was relatively unchanged. Lower HDL levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease, so if a patient has a low HDL level, Aromasin may not be the best choice as a Breast Cancer prevention agent, according to lead investigator, Jennifer Eng-Wong, senior medical director of the Capital Breast Care Center at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.