A commonly prescribed breast-cancer drug, Aromasin, made by Pfizer, has been found to worsen bone loss in post-menopausal women, calling into question its cost:benefit risks.
In a study trial involving 351 women at risk of developing breast cancer, those who received Aromasin (exemestane) lost an average of three times more bone-mineral density after two years than did those who took a placebo.
The study was published in The Lancet Oncology and conducted by Angela Cheung and others at Toronto's University Health Network.
This contradicts earlier studies, conducted on behalf of Pfizer, that showed the opposite effect. Usage of Aromastin for cancer risk (rather than post-cancer) treatments meant an additional $361 million in sales last year. The company lost patent protection last year and the drug will go generic soon.
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