Oxybutynin May Provide Hot Flash Treatment Option in Breast Cancer Survivors

Oxybutynin reduced the frequency and intensity of hot flashes among women who could not take hormone replacement therapy in survivorship, according to data presented at the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS).

The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled SC-1603 trial—–designed to evaluate oxybutynin at 2 different doses compared with placebo in 150 women––also showed improvements in work, social activities, leisure activities, sleep, and overall quality of life.

“Hot flashes are a huge problem across the general population, but even more so in breast cancer survivors,” lead author Roberto A. Leon-Ferre, MD, assistant professor of oncology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said during a press conference at the symposium, held Dec. 4—8. “They affect many spheres of life, including work, sleep, relationships, sexuality, social and leisure activities. Breast cancer survivors are unfortunately at higher risk for experiencing either more severe or longer lasting hot flashes, often as a consequence of our therapies.”

Patients in the Oxy2.5 arm (evaluable, n = 40) reported a mean change in HF score of —10.6, compared with –5.7 with placebo (evaluable, n = 38), and experienced an average of 4.8 fewer hot flashes per day, compared with 2.6 in the placebo arm. Meanwhile, women in the Oxy5 arm (evaluable, n = 35) reported a mean change in HF score of –16.9, and experienced an average of 7.5 fewer HFs per day.

Overall, patients on placebo experienced an approximate 30% reduction, compared with an approximate 65% reduction with Oxy2.5, and an approximate 80% reduction with Oxy5 (P< .01). Similarly, HF frequency was reduced by almost 30% with placebo, 60% with Oxy2.5, and 75% with Oxy5 (P< .01).

For more study details, visit Onclive.com.

Reference

Leon-Ferre RA, Novotny PJ, Faubion SS, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oxybutynin for hot flashes : ACCRU study SC-1603. Presented at: 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS); Dec. 4—8, 2018; San Antonio, Texas.