New research led by Flinders University has found a link between beta-blockers and survival outcomes in some breast cancer patients.
Beta-blockers, commonly used to manage cardiovascular disease, were negatively associated with survival outcomes in patients with HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) positive advanced breast cancer, according to a in the Frontiers In Oncology.
Using data collected from 2,777 patients in clinical trials, the study showed worse survival outcomes for patients with HER2 positive ABC group using concomitant beta-blocker, compared to patients not using a BB.
“The research highlights a group of breast cancer patients whose survival outcomes are profoundly poorer,” says , director of the Precision Medicine Group at Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health
“Given about 20% of breast cancer patients overexpress HER2 – and cardiovascular toxicities are a known complication anti-HER2 therapies – this study importantly identifies a subgroup of patients in which we recommend further investigation to find strategies to improve treatment outcomes.”
The research concluded: “Future research should aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of beta-blockers on specific breast cancer subtypes, cancer types, and cancer treatments.”
The online article, by ND Modi, JQE Tan, A Rowland, B Koczwara, G Kichenadasse, RA McKinnon, MD Wiese, MJ Sorich and AM Hopkins has been published in Frontiers In Oncology DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01130
The study received support from the Cancer Council South Australia and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Breast Cancer Foundation.
