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Antiplatelet Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients Using Hormonal Therapy: Myths, Evidence and Potentialities – Systematic Review

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumor in women worldwide, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Chemotherapy and hormone therapy have significantly reduced mortality; however, the adverse effects are significant. Aspirin has been incorporated into clinical practice for over 100 years at a low cost, making it particularly attractive as a potential agent in breast cancer prevention and as an adjunct treatment to endocrine therapy in the prophylaxis of cardiovascular complications. The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of aspirin in reducing the incidence of breast cancer and to evaluate the impact of its use on morbidity and mortality and reduction of cardiovascular events as adjuvant therapy during breast cancer treatment with selective estrogen receptor modulators. A systematic review was performed using the PRISMA methodology and PICO criteria, based on the MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases. The original articles of clinical trials, cohort, case-control studies and meta-analyses published from January 1998 to June 2017, were considered. Most studies showed an association between the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators and the increase in thromboembolic events. The studies suggest a protective effect of aspirin for cardiovascular events during its concomitant use with selective estrogen receptor modulators and in the prevention of breast cancer. This systematic review suggests that aspirin therapy combines the benefit of protection against cardiovascular events with the potential reduction in breast cancer risk, and that the evaluation of the benefits of the interaction of endocrine therapy with aspirin should be further investigated.

Keywords
Breast Neoplasms/drug therapy; Indicators of Morbidity and Mortality; Aspirin; Tamoxifen; Raloxilene Hydrochloride; Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control; Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Resumo

O câncer de mama é o tumor mais frequentemente diagnosticado em mulheres de todo o mundo, com impacto importante na morbimortalidade. A quimioterapia e a terapia hormonal reduziram significativamente a mortalidade, mas os efeitos adversos são consideráveis. A aspirina está incorporada à prática clínica há mais de 100 anos, com baixo custo, tornando-a particularmente atraente como potencial agente na prevenção do câncer de mama e auxiliar durante o tratamento endócrino, na profilaxia de complicações cardiovasculares. Objetivou-se avaliar o papel da aspirina na redução da incidência do câncer de mama e avaliar o impacto de seu uso na morbimortalidade e na redução de eventos cardiovasculares como terapia adjuvante durante o tratamento do câncer de mama com moduladores seletivos do receptor do estrogênio. Procedeu-se à revisão sistemática utilizando-se a metodologia PRISMA e os critérios PICO, nas bases MEDLINE, EMBASE e LILACS. Foram considerados os artigos originais do tipo ensaio clínico, coorte, caso-controle e metanálises, publicados no período de janeiro de 1998 até junho de 2017. Na maioria dos estudos, houve relação entre o uso dos moduladores seletivos do receptor do estrogênio e o aumento de eventos tromboembólicos. Os estudos sugerem efeito protetor da aspirina para eventos cardiovasculares em uso concomitante aos moduladores seletivos do receptor do estrogênio e na prevenção do câncer de mama. Esta revisão sistemática sugere que o tratamento com aspirina combina o benefício da proteção contra eventos cardiovasculares com a potencial redução do risco de câncer de mama, e que a avaliação dos benefícios da interação da terapia endócrina com a aspirina deve ser melhor investigada.

Palavras-chave
Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico; Indicadores de Morbimortalidade; Aspirina; Tamoxifeno; Cloridrato de Raloxifeno; Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle; Moduladores Seletivos do Receptor Estrogênio

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumor in women worldwide, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that more than 1.5 million new cases of breast cancer are annually diagnosed worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, breast cancer mortality is still high, with 570,000 deaths in 2015. The disease, recurrent or metastatic, remains incurable in most cases.11 Ch Yiannakopoulou E. Interaction of salicylates and the other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents with breast cancer endocrine treatment: systematic review. Am J Clin Oncol. 2015;38(6):641-4.

Chemotherapy and hormone therapy have significantly reduced mortality, but their adverse effects are considerable. Endocrine therapy has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer patients with positive Estrogen Receptor (ER), although there are cases that develop resistance to this therapy. An appropriate strategy would be the combination of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) or another hormonal class with other therapeutic agents, aiming at attaining a synergistic antitumor effect. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, has been associated with reduced risk of breast cancer.22 Harris RE, Chlebowski RT, Jackson RD, Frid DJ, Ascenseo JL, Anderson G, et al; Women's Health Initiative. Breast cancer and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: prospective results from the Women's Health Initiative. Cancer Res. 2003;63(18):6096-101.,33 Takkouche B, Regueira-Mendez C, Etminan M. Breast cancer and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2008;100(20):1439-47. This therapy could also antagonize thrombogenic effects in women treated with tamoxifen.

The increasing number of breast cancer survivors is confronted with the shortage of information among clinicians on the subject.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of aspirin in reducing the incidence of breast cancer and to evaluate the impact of its use in reducing cardiovascular events as an adjuvant therapy during the treatment of breast cancer with SERMs.

Methods

This systematic review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology.44 Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG; PRISMA Group. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009;151(4):264-9. The study included original articles of clinical trials, cohort, case-control studies and meta-analyses published from January 1998 to June 2017, with full-texts in English, Spanish and Portuguese, obtained from the MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases. The research was performed using the following descriptors: (selective estrogen receptor modulators OR tamoxifen OR raloxifene hydrochloride OR toremifene) AND (platelet aggregation inhibitors OR aspirin) AND (cardiovascular disease) AND (breast CA).

This study was based on the PICO (acronym for Population, Intervention, Control and Outcome) criteria. The objective was to evaluate whether aspirin use implies in the reduction of events, especially cardiovascular events, in women with breast cancer using SERMs. The studies were selected according to the following criteria: use of SERMs in women with breast cancer; regular aspirin use; and evaluation of mortality, metastases, and adverse effects using SERMs and/or aspirin. Case reports, articles with other types of endocrine therapy, and animal experimental models were excluded.

A total of 221 abstracts met the search criteria and other 15 were manually retrieved. A total of 159 duplicated articles were eliminated and 77 abstracts were evaluated. Of these, 57 were selected for the review. We excluded 25 because they did not meet the previously established criteria, resulting in 32 full-text articles, which were evaluated in relation to their scientific quality. Five articles were excluded according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 27 articles were analyzed, according to figure 1.

Figure 1
Flowchart of the evaluated studies.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and reduction of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer

Most breast cancers have positive ER and three main drugs are being used for their treatment and/or prevention, namely: tamoxifen, raloxifene and toremifene. All of these agents are competitive inhibitors of estrogen binding to its receptors, and have mixed agonist and antagonist activity, depending on the target tissue.55 Cosman F, Lindsay R. Selective estrogen receptor modulators: clinical spectrum. Endocr Rev. 1999;20(3):418-34. Tamoxifen is the most well-studied SERM and often the drug of choice for breast cancer treatment. Its mechanism of action involves tumor cell growth inhibition through competitive ER inhibition.66 Davies C, Godwin J, Gray R, Clarke M, Cutter D, Darby S, et al; Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Relevance of breast cancer hormone receptors and other factors to the efficacy of adjuvant tamoxifen: patient-level meta-analysis of randomized trials. Lancet. 2011;378(9793):771-84.

The benefits of tamoxifen have been consolidated through the US Financial Service Task Force (USPSTF) meta-analysis.77 Nelson HD, Smith ME, Griffin JC, Fu R. Use of medications to reduce risk for primary breast cancer: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(8):604-14. In comparison with placebo, the use of tamoxifen resulted in: reduced risk of invasive breast cancer (Relative Risk – RR = 0.70; 95% Confidence Interval – 95%CI: 0.59-0.82); reduction in the incidence of non-vertebral fractures (RR = 0.66, 95%CI: 0.45-0.98); and no difference in mortality from breast cancer or from all causes. On the other hand, a pro-coagulant effect is described when tamoxifen is added to chemotherapy – especially an increase in thromboembolic events.88 Cuzick J, Forbes J, Edwards R, Edwards R, Baum M, Cawthorn S, et al; IBIS investigators. First results from the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS-I): a randomized prevention trial. Lancet. 2002;360(9336):817-24.,99 Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerkam LD, Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL, et al. Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer: report of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-1 study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90(18):1371-88.

Raloxifene differs from tamoxifen because it does not stimulate endometrial tissue, although it exerts the same beneficial effects of tamoxifen on breast tissue. In preclinical studies, raloxifene has been shown to prevent the onset of new breast cancers, as well as prevent the growth of preexisting cancers.1010 Jordan, VC, Morrow M. Tamoxifen, raloxifen, and the prevention of breast cancer. Endocr Rev. 1999;20(3):253-78. In the STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) study,1111 Vogel V, Constantino JP, Wickerham DL, Cronin WM, Cecchini RS, Atkins JN, et al; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). Effects of tamoxifen vs raloxifene on the risk of developing invasive breast cancer and other disease outcomes: the NSABP Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) P-2 trial. JAMA. 2006;295(23):2727-41. 19,747 women were randomized to receive 20 mg of tamoxifen or 60 mg/day of raloxifene for 5 years. The results showed that raloxifene had the same efficacy as tamoxifen in the prevention of breast cancer in situ, both with a 50% risk reduction (RR of 1.02, 95%CI: 0.82-1.28). However, raloxifene did not show protection against invasive types of breast cancer, whereas tamoxifen reduced its incidence by around 50%. It was observed that the group treated with raloxifene had an almost 30% reduction in thromboembolic events such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) (RR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.54-0.91). Both groups had the same incidence of cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction and fractures.

The MORE (Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation)1212 Cummings SR, Eckert S, Krueger KA, Grady D, Powles TJ, Cauley JA, et al. The effect of raloxifene on risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Results from the MORE randomized trial. JAMA. 1999;281(23):2189-97. study randomized 7,705 postmenopausal patients who had osteoporosis and had no history of breast or endometrial cancer for the use of placebo or 60 mg/day or 120 mg/day of raloxifene. After 4 years of follow-up, a 72% reduction of breast cancer risk was observed.1313 Cauley JA, Norton L, Lippman ME, Eckert S, Krueger KA, Purdie DW, et al. Continued breast cancer risk reduction in postmenopausal women treated with raloxifen: 4-year results from the MORE trial. Multiple outcomes of raloxifene evaluation. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2001;65(2):125-34. Erratum in: Breast Cancer Res Treat 2001;67(2):191. In the CORE (Continuing Outcomes relevant to Evista) study,1414 Martino S, Cauley JA, Barrett-Connor E, Powles TJ, Mershon J, Disch D, et al; CORE Investigators. Continuing outcomes relevant to Evista: breast cancer incidence in postmenopausal osteoporotic women in a randomized trial of raloxifene. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;96(23):1751-61. the patients were randomized to either raloxifene 60 mg/day or placebo. A 59% reduction (RR = 0.41, 95%CI: 0.24-0.71) was observed in the incidence of breast cancer and a decrease of 66% (RR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.18-0.66 ) of ER-positive invasive breast cancer, when compared with the placebo group. When analyzing both studies together, the incidence of invasive breast cancer was reduced by 66% (RR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.22-0.50) and, for ER-positive cases, 76% (RR = 0.24, 95%CI: 0.15-0.40), relative to the placebo group. No protection was observed against non-invasive cancers.

A significant reduction in the amount of microvessels in breast cancer was observed after treatment with raloxifene 60 mg/day for 28 days in postmenopausal women without previous endocrine treatment.1515 Cuzick J, Sestak I, Bonanni B, Costantino, JP, Cummings S, DeCensi A, et al; SERM Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer Overview Group. Selective estrogen receptor modulators in prevention of breast cancer: an updated meta-analysis of individual participant data. Lancet. 2013;381(9880):1827-34. There is evidence that the benefits of treatment with SERMs were seen not only during the 5 years of active treatment, as well as 5 years after the end of treatment, indicating a long-term effect on the prevention of breast cancer. Adverse effects, notably the thromboembolic events and endometrial cancer, should be considered when assessing the risk-benefit ratio for each patient.1616 Amir E, Seruga B, Niraula S, Carlsson L, Ocaña A. Toxicity of adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011;103(17):1299-309.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and thromboembolic events

A number of studies have demonstrated that the use of tamoxifen is associated with an increased rate of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) and that there is an additional procoagulant effect when tamoxifen is added to chemotherapy.66 Davies C, Godwin J, Gray R, Clarke M, Cutter D, Darby S, et al; Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Relevance of breast cancer hormone receptors and other factors to the efficacy of adjuvant tamoxifen: patient-level meta-analysis of randomized trials. Lancet. 2011;378(9793):771-84.,88 Cuzick J, Forbes J, Edwards R, Edwards R, Baum M, Cawthorn S, et al; IBIS investigators. First results from the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS-I): a randomized prevention trial. Lancet. 2002;360(9336):817-24.,99 Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerkam LD, Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL, et al. Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer: report of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-1 study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90(18):1371-88. Raloxifene is also associated with a higher risk of VTE, but with a lower incidence than tamoxifen. The NSABP (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project) Tamoxifen Prevention Trial99 Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerkam LD, Fisher B, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL, et al. Tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer: report of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project P-1 study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90(18):1371-88. allocated 13,388 women at high risk of breast cancer to receive tamoxifen or placebo. The incidence of PE and DVT increased in women who received tamoxifen, especially in patients older than 50 years (RR for PE = 3.0, 95%CI: 1.1-11.2, RR for DVT = 1.6; 95%CI: 0.9-2.9). The IBIS-1 (International Breast Cancer Intervention Study)88 Cuzick J, Forbes J, Edwards R, Edwards R, Baum M, Cawthorn S, et al; IBIS investigators. First results from the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS-I): a randomized prevention trial. Lancet. 2002;360(9336):817-24. allocated 7,154 women at risk for breast cancer to receive tamoxifen or placebo. The use of tamoxifen was associated with an increased risk of developing VTE (Odds Ratio – OR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.1-4.1). The risk of developing PTE or PE was significantly higher during the 5 years of active treatment with tamoxifen (RR of 2.3; 95%CI 1.4-3.9) but did not persist after its cessation.

A meta-analysis of seven trials and 30,023 patients, which compared outcomes in women with breast cancer assigned to treatment with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor, found a higher rate of VTE in those receiving tamoxifen (2.8% vs. 1.6%).1616 Amir E, Seruga B, Niraula S, Carlsson L, Ocaña A. Toxicity of adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal breast cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2011;103(17):1299-309. An analysis of 13 trials of the NSABP,1717 McCaskill-Stevens W, Wilson J, Bryant J, Mamounas E, Garvey L, James J, et al. Contralateral breast cancer and thromboembolic events in African American women treated with tamoxifen. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;96(23):1762-9. Erratum in: J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97(1):71. which evaluated the risk of contralateral breast cancer in 20,878 women who received tamoxifen after primary treatment for this disease, found an increased risk of VTE with tamoxifen. The risks of PE, DVT and superficial phlebitis increased two to three-fold in patients treated with tamoxifen, and 11 to 15-fold in patients treated with tamoxifen plus chemotherapy.1818 Onitilo AA, McCarty CA, Wilke RA, Glurich I, Engel JM, Flockhart DA, et al. Estrogen receptor genotype is associated with risk of venous thromboembolism during tamoxifen therapy. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009;115(3):643-50. The STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene)1111 Vogel V, Constantino JP, Wickerham DL, Cronin WM, Cecchini RS, Atkins JN, et al; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). Effects of tamoxifen vs raloxifene on the risk of developing invasive breast cancer and other disease outcomes: the NSABP Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) P-2 trial. JAMA. 2006;295(23):2727-41. study suggested a lower incidence of DVT and PE in women receiving raloxifene vs. those treated with tamoxifen. This study randomized 19,747 women at risk for breast cancer to raloxifene and tamoxifen use for 5 years.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and cerebrovascular accident

In the EBCTCG (Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group)66 Davies C, Godwin J, Gray R, Clarke M, Cutter D, Darby S, et al; Early Breast Cancer Trialists Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Relevance of breast cancer hormone receptors and other factors to the efficacy of adjuvant tamoxifen: patient-level meta-analysis of randomized trials. Lancet. 2011;378(9793):771-84. meta-analysis, which compared 21,457 women to receive tamoxifen or placebo, there was an increase in cerebrovascular accident (CVA) rates, but without statistical significance. In a case-control study of 11,045 women with breast cancer, the risk of CVA was not increased by the use of tamoxifen.1919 Geiger AM, Fischberg GM, Chen W, Bernstein L. Stroke risk and tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004;96(20):1528-36. In a meta-analysis that evaluated the use of tamoxifen in primary or secondary prevention in 39,601 breast cancer patients, the frequency of ischemic CVA was higher in those who received tamoxifen than in the controls.2020 Bushnell CD, Goldstein LB. Risk of ischemic stroke with tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer: a meta-analysis. Neurology. 2004;63(7):1230-3. Tamoxifen was associated with an increased risk of CVA, but with a low absolute risk.

In the RUTH (Raloxifene Use for The Heart) study,2121 Barrett-Connor E, Mosca L, Collins P, Geiger MJ, Grady D, Kornitzer M, et al; Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) Trial Investigators. Effects of raloxifene on cardiovascular events and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(2):125-37. raloxifene was associated with an increased risk of fatal CVA when compared with placebo. The IBIS-1 study2222 Cuzick J, Forbes JF, Sestak I, Cawtohorn S, Hamed H, Holli K, et al; International Breast Cancer Intervention Study I Investigators. Long-term results of tamoxifen prophylaxis for breast cancer - 96-month follow-up of the randomized IBIS-I trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2007;99(4):272-82. did not show statistical significance between the treatment groups (tamoxifen vs. placebo) regarding cerebrovascular or cardiovascular events. A sub-analysis of the MORE1212 Cummings SR, Eckert S, Krueger KA, Grady D, Powles TJ, Cauley JA, et al. The effect of raloxifene on risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Results from the MORE randomized trial. JAMA. 1999;281(23):2189-97. study suggested that in women at high risk for arterial events, raloxifene reduced the incidence of coronary events and CVA. However, after 8 years of treatment, the incidence of cardiovascular, coronary, or cerebrovascular events did not significantly differ between the raloxifene and placebo groups. In the STAR study,1111 Vogel V, Constantino JP, Wickerham DL, Cronin WM, Cecchini RS, Atkins JN, et al; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP). Effects of tamoxifen vs raloxifene on the risk of developing invasive breast cancer and other disease outcomes: the NSABP Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) P-2 trial. JAMA. 2006;295(23):2727-41. the risk of CVA was similar in the raloxifene and tamoxifen groups.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and lipid profile

There is evidence of changes in the lipid profile with the use of SERMs. The reduction of serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) levels is a consensus. However, an increase in serum triglyceride levels has also been reported. Sawada and Sato2323 Sawada S, Sato K. Effect of anastrozole and tamoxifen on serum lipid levels in Japanese postmenopausal women with early breast câncer. [abstract]. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2003;82(Suppl 1):S31-S32. reported that tamoxifen reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels, as well as significantly increased triglycerides. Atalay et al.2424 Atalay G, Dirix L, Biganzoli L, Beex L, Nooij M, Cameron D, et al. The effect of exemestane on serum lipid profile in postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer: a companion study to EORTC Trial 10951, "Randomised phase II study in first line hormonal treatment for metastatic breast cancer with exemestane or tamoxifen in postmenopausal patients". Ann Oncol. 2004;15(2):211-7. did not find a significant effect of tamoxifen on total cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) but reported a borderline increase in triglycerides. Taken together, these studies suggest that although tamoxifen consistently lowers LDL-c levels, the effects on HDL-c are mild, and tamoxifen use increases serum triglyceride levels. Changes in the lipid profile associated with the use of tamoxifen are summarized in Table 1.

Table 1
Tamoxifen and lipid profile

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and coronary artery disease

Even after consolidation of the clinical use of tamoxifen, there is no definitive evidence of its effect on coronary artery disease (CAD). Evidence suggests a modest protective effect of tamoxifen against death from CAD. There is a controversy over the effects of SERMs on atherosclerosis and its complications (Table 2). The publication of the RUTH (Raloxifene Use for The Heart) study2121 Barrett-Connor E, Mosca L, Collins P, Geiger MJ, Grady D, Kornitzer M, et al; Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) Trial Investigators. Effects of raloxifene on cardiovascular events and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(2):125-37. confirmed a neutral effect of raloxifene. Evidence available in the world literature suggests neutral effects or discrete benefits of SERM use in overall cardiovascular risk.2525 Cano A, Hermenegildo C, Oviedo P, Tarín JJ. Selective estrogen receptor modulators and risk for coronary heart disease. Climacteric. 2007;10(2):97-111.

Table 2
Events associated with the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)

In the NSABP study,2626 Reis SE, Costantino JP, Wickerham DL, Tan-Chiu E, Wang J, Kavanah M. Cardiovascular effects of tamoxifen in women with and without heart disease: breast cancer prevention trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2001;93(1):16-21. 13,388 women at increased risk of breast cancer were assigned to receive tamoxifen 20 mg/day or placebo. Cardiovascular follow-up was available for 13,194 women, of which 1,048 had clinically manifest CAD. The rates of cardiovascular events were not significantly different between women receiving tamoxifen and those receiving placebo, regardless of the preexisting disease. A case-control study of women diagnosed with breast cancer found that the use of tamoxifen was not associated with a reduced risk of myocardial infarction for the observed 137 cases of myocardial infarction.2727 Geiger AM, Chen W, Bernstein L. Myocardial infarction risk and tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer. Br J Cancer. 2005;92(9):1614-20. Another case-control study demonstrated that women with breast cancer who received tamoxifen had a reduced risk of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction (OR = 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.7) compared to patients who did not receive it.2828 Bradbury BD, Lash TL, Kaye JA, Jick SS. Tamoxifen-treated breast carcinoma patients and the risk of acute myocardial infarction and newly-diagnosed angina. Cancer. 2005;103(6):1114-21.

Nordenskjold et al.2929 Nordenskjold B, Rosell J, Rutqvist LE, Malmström PO, Bergh J, Bengtsson NO, et al. Coronary heart disease mortality after 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy: results from a randomized trial. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2005;97(21):1609-10. reported a significant reduction in mortality due to CAD in women who received 5 years vs. 2 years of tamoxifen, with a higher dose of 40 mg/day. The study carried out by the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group3030 Early Breast Cancer Trialist' Collaborative Group (EBCTCG). Effects of chemotherapy and hormonal therapy for early breast cancer on recurrence and 15-year survival: an overview of the randomized trials. Lancet. 2005;365(9472):1687-717. reported a reduction in mortality from CAD in more than 15,000 women randomized to receive approximately 5 years of tamoxifen vs. placebo, although there was no statistical significance (120 vs. 132 deaths, p = 0.06).

Selective estrogen receptor modulators and aspirin

Cancer can lead to a state of hypercoagulability, platelet abnormalities and thromboembolic events. Platelets can contribute to the metastasis process by promoting angiogenesis and by releasing the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF).3131 Gay LJ, Felding-Habermann B. Contribution of platelets to tumour metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer. 2011;11(2):123-34.,3232 Smyth SS, McEver RP, Weyrich AS, Morrell CN, Hoffman MR, Arepally GM, et al; 2009 Platelet Colloquium Participants. Platelet functions beyond hemostasis. J Thromb Haemost. 2009;7(11):1759-66. the platelets and coagulation cascade components involve tumor cells, which prevents lysis by natural killer cells, allowing the spread of metastases.

Tamoxifen rapidly increases free calcium in human platelets.3333 Dobrydneva Y, Weatherman RV, Trebley JP, Morrell MM, Fitzgerald MC, Fichandler CE, et al. Tamoxifen stimulates calcium entry into human platelets. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007;50(4):380-90.,3434 Shah VP, Chegini HA, Vishneski SR, Weatherman RV, Blackmore PF, Dobrydneva Y. Tamoxifen promotes superoxide production in platelets by activation of PI3kinase and NADPH oxidase pathways. Thromb Res. 2012;129(1):36-42. Jhonson et al.3535 Johnson KE, Forward JA, Tippy MD, Ceglowski JR, El-Husayni S, Kulenthirarajan R, et al. Tamoxifen Directly Inhibits Platelet Angiogenic Potential and Platelet-Mediated Metastasis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2017;37(4):664-74. demonstrated that tamoxifen and its metabolite 4-hydroxytamoxifen altered the platelet function, with a reduction in the angiogenic and metastatic potential. Angiogenic proteins are released during the platelet activation process, and platelet deposition is observed at the tumor site.3636 Boudreau N, Myers C. Breast cancer-induced angiogenesis: multiple mechanisms and the role of the microenvironment. Breast Cancer Res. 2003;5(3):140-6. The alpha and beta forms of ER were found in the platelet membrane.3737 Jayachandran M, Miller VM. Human platelets contain estrogen receptor a, caveolin-1 and estrogen receptor associated proteins. Platelets. 2003;14(2):75-81.,3838 Khetawat G, Faraday N, Nealen ML, Vijayan, KV, Bolton E, Noga SJ, et al. Human megakaryocytes and platelets contain the estrogen receptor b and androgen receptor (AR): testosterone regulates AR expression. Blood. 2000;95(7):2289-96. Some studies have suggested that estradiol, as well as the tamoxifen metabolites, can increase platelet aggregation, suggesting that ER function may influence the release of intraplatelet proteins, such as VEGF and endostatin, when platelets are stimulated in the tumor environment.3939 Moro L, Reineri S, Piranda D, Pietrapiana D, Lova P, Bertoni A, et al. Nongenomic effects of 17b-estradiol in human platelets: potentiation of thrombin-induced aggregation through estrogen receptor b and Src kinase. Blood. 2005;105(1):115-21.

Holmes et al.4040 Holmes CE, Huang JC, Pace TR, Howard AB, Muss HB. Tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors differentially affect vascular endothelial growth factor and endostatin levels in women with breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2008;14(10):3070-6. carried out a study that evaluated the concentrations of VEGF and endostatin before and after tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors in 30 women with breast cancer. Tamoxifen therapy resulted in increased VEGF concentrations in platelets, but no change in plasma VEGF levels. The use of aspirin attenuated the increase in the VEGF levels associated with tamoxifen and reduced serum levels of VEGF. The data from this study suggest that antiplatelet therapy may interfere with angiogenic protein levels in women treated with endocrine therapy.

Women with breast cancer who used tamoxifen and 45 days of aspirin had reduced intraplatelet VEGF levels, as well as increased serum and intraplatelet levels of the antiangiogenic factor thrombospondin-1.4141 Holmes CE, Jasielec J, Levis JE, Skelly J, Muss HB. Initiation of aspirin therapy modulates angiogenic protein levels in women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen therapy. Clin Transl Sci. 2013;6(5):386-90. These changes were reversed with the aspirin discontinuation. In this study, a dose of 325 mg/day was used. Aspirin decreased the pro-angiogenic effects of tamoxifen, suggesting that antiplatelet therapy may improve tamoxifen efficacy. Cheng et al.4242 Cheng R, Liu YJ, Cui JW, Yang M, Liu XL, Li P, et al. Aspirin regulation of c-myc and cyclinD1 proteins to overcome tamoxifen resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast câncer cells. Oncotarget. 2017;8(18):30252-64. carried out a study that showed that aspirin not only inhibits the growth of the MCF-7 RE-positive breast cancer cell line, but also has a potential function to overcome resistance to tamoxifen in MCF-7/TAM cell lines. The concomitant action of aspirin makes cells more sensitive to tamoxifen, indicating that aspirin can regulate proteins to overcome tamoxifen resistance.

The RUTH2121 Barrett-Connor E, Mosca L, Collins P, Geiger MJ, Grady D, Kornitzer M, et al; Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) Trial Investigators. Effects of raloxifene on cardiovascular events and breast cancer in postmenopausal women. N Engl J Med. 2006;355(2):125-37. study evaluated the effects of antiplatelet therapy concomitant with the use of raloxifene regarding the risk of VTE. The increased risk of VTE with raloxifene when compared to placebo was not different between the women who used antiplatelet agents and those who did not use it.4343 Duvernoy CS, Yeo AA, Wong M, Cox DA, Kim HM. Antiplatelet therapy use and the risk of venous thromboembolic events in the Raloxifene Use for the Heart (RUTH) trial. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2010;19(8):1459-65. The key findings of the abovementioned studies are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3
Aspirin and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)

Aspirin and Cancer Prevention

A prospective observational study of 4,164 women with breast cancer showed that, among women who were alive at least 1 year after the breast cancer diagnosis, the use of aspirin was associated with a reduction in the risk of recurrence and death from breast cancer.4444 Holmes MD, Chen WY, Li L, Hertzmark E, Spiegelman D, Hankinson SE, et al. Aspirin intake and survival after breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2010;28(9):1467-72. Contrarily, another study with 27,426 women with breast cancer showed that there was no association between aspirin use and death from breast cancer.4545 Holmes MD, Olsson H, Pawitan Y, Holm J, Lundholm C, Andersson TM, et al. Aspirin intake and breast cancer survival - a nation-wide study using prospectively recorded data in Sweden. BMC Cancer. 2014 Jun 2;14:391-2.

A retrospective cohort study was carried out in Taiwan with 148,739 diabetic women, of which 27,378 used aspirin at a dose ranging from 75 mg to 165 mg/day, which were compared to women who did not use aspirin. Overall, aspirin use reduced the risk of breast cancer by 18% (Hazard Ratio – HR= 0.82, 95%CI: 0.71-0.94). Specifically, a cumulative dose of aspirin > 88,900mg was observed to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 47% .4646 Yang YS, Kornelius E, Chiou JY, Lai YR, Lo SC, Peng CH, et al. Low-dose aspirin reduces breast cancer risk in women with diabetes: a Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in Taiwan. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2017;26(12):1278-84. A cohort in Scotland identified 4,627 women with breast cancer throughout 11 years. The use of aspirin after the diagnosis was identified in 1,035 women (22.4%). Most of them used a 75 mg dose/day. It was concluded that low-dose aspirin was associated with reduced risk of death from all causes and breast cancer.4747 Fraser DM, Sullivan FM, Thompson AM, McCowan C. Aspirin use and survival after the diagnosis of breast cancer: a population-based cohort study. Br J Cancer. 2014;111(3):623-7. Another cohort, with 27,616 postmenopausal women, identified 938 cases of breast cancer in 6 years of follow-up, meaning a RR of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.58-0.87) for those who took aspirin at least six times a week, when compared with those who did not use the medication.4848 Johnson TW, Anderson KE, Lazovich D, Folsom AR. Association of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use with breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2002;11(12):1586-91. Evidence from case-control and cohort studies suggest an approximately 10% reduction in the risk of breast cancer for aspirin use.4949 Bosetti C, Rosato V, Gallus S, Cuzick J, La Vecchia C. Aspirin and cancer risk: a quantitative review to 2011. Ann Oncol. 2012;23(6):1403-15.,5050 Algra AM, Rothwell PM. Effects of regular aspirin on long-term cancer incidence and metastasis: a systematic comparison of evidence from observational studies versus randomised trials. Lancet Oncol. 2012;13(5):518-27. Similar results were found with other NSAIDs and Cycloxygenase-2 inhibitors (COX-2).5151 Li Y, Brasky TM, Nie J, Ambrosone CB, McCann SE, Shields PG, et al. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and survival following breast cancer diagnosis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2012;21(1):239-42.

Rothwell et al.5252 Rothwell PM, Fowkes FG, Belch JF, Ogawa H, Warlow CP, Meade TW. Effect of daily aspirin on long-term risk of death due to cancer: analysis of individual patient data from randomized trials. Lancet. 2011;377(9759):31-41. analyzed seven randomized trials for the regular use of aspirin with a minimum duration of 4 years to determine the effect of aspirin on the risk of death from cancer. Daily aspirin reduced death rates from several types of cancer during and after the studies. The benefit increased with treatment duration and was consistent in all the different studied populations.

Harris et al.5353 Harris RE, Kasbari S, Farrar WB. Prospective study of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and breast cancer. Oncol Rep. 1999;6:71-3. found 393 cases of breast cancer in 32,505 patients after 5 years of follow-up. This study reported a 50% reduction in the incidence of breast cancer using ibuprofen (p < 0.01) and 40% with regular aspirin use (p < 0.05), suggesting that other NSAIDs may also be effective in breast cancer prophylaxis.

Aspirin emerged as the most likely NSAID for use in chemoprevention due to its benefits also in preventing cardiovascular events. Other NSAIDs have also been studied as adjuvants in the chemoprevention of several types of cancer, especially colorectal, breast and stomach neoplasms, although these drugs do not offer cardioprotection.5454 Cuzick J, Otto F, Baron JA, Brown PH, Burn J, Greenwald P, et al. Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for cancer prevention: an international consensus statement. Lancet Oncol. 2009;10(5):501-7. Mortality reduction is more evident in colon cancer, probably in prostate and possibly also in breast neoplasms.5555 Elwood PC, Morgan G, Pickering JE, Galante J, Weightman AL, et al. Aspirin in the treatment of cancer: reductions in metastatic spread and in mortality: a systematic review and meta-analyses of published studies. PLoS One. 2016;11(4):e0152402.,5656 Chen WY, Holmes MD. Role of aspirin in breast câncer survival. Curr Oncol Rep. 2017;19(7):48.

Discussion

The clinical trials mentioned in this review report an increase in VTE with the use of SERMs and, regarding cerebrovascular and coronary events, the results were discordant. The currently used treatment, consisting of chemotherapy and hormone therapy, has reduced breast cancer mortality, but morbidity and mortality are still high, with considerable side effects and high financial costs. There are great expectations regarding new treatments, with low toxicity and cost reduction.

Aspirin has been incorporated into clinical practice for over 100 years at a low cost, making it attractive as a potential adjunct treatment. The observational studies included in this review suggest a reduction in the risk of breast cancer in patients regularly taking aspirin. Randomized clinical trials are required to assess the impact of aspirin use on breast cancer prevention, whether associated with endocrine therapy or disease-free survival in breast cancer patients.

Aspirin use is a consensus for the secondary prevention of myocardial infarction and ischemic CVA in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease and for primary prevention in high-risk groups. Current indications for the prophylactic use of aspirin are based on cardiovascular risk, considering the side effects, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, of which incidence increases with age. Other potential benefits of using aspirin need to be proven in the context of cancer.

Conclusion

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed tumor in women worldwide, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Although there are controversies in the analyzed studies, considering the possible benefits regarding breast cancer prevention and reduction in cardiovascular events, this systematic review suggests that therapy with selective estrogen receptor modulators and aspirin should be better investigated, and emphasizes the need for randomized trials. Future studies should address issues such as dose, age at the start, duration, efficacy, and safety of a clearly defined treatment regimen.

  • Sources of Funding
    There were no external funding sources for this study.
  • Study Association
    This article is a research product in Cardio-oncology of the Master submitted by Andréa de Melo Leite, from Universidade Federal Fluminense.
  • Ethics approval and consent to participate
    This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Aug 2018

History

  • Received
    25 Oct 2017
  • Reviewed
    06 June 2018
  • Accepted
    12 June 2018
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