http://www.orgyn.com/en/news/2005/Week_34/Day_3/Anastrozole__promisi.asp?C=63483385895562037037
Thursday 25 August 2005
Anastrozole 'promising endometriosis therapy'
Source: Fertility and Sterility 2005; 84: 300-4
Evaluating the efficacy of anastrozole in combination with an oral contraceptive for the treatment of endometriosis in a prospective open label trial.
The results of a Food and Drug Administration phase II trial highlight the combined use of anastrozole and oral contraceptives as a promising novel modality for the treatment of endometriosis.
"This is an exciting new development in the treatment of a condition with only a limited number of treatments available," say the researchers.
For the study, Lisa Amsterdam, from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, USA, and her colleagues treated 15 patients with refractory endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain with 1 mg anastrozole and an oral contraceptive pill daily for 6 months.
Pain decreased significantly during this time in 14 of the 15 participants, with median and mean pain scores falling by 55 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The effects were evident as early as 1 month after the start of treatment, and pain levels continued to decline with each consecutive month.
"This is particularly significant in light of the fact that the women in this study failed multiple other treatment modalities for endometriosis," the authors point out.
There were no adverse reactions to any organ system, and side effects were mild and decreased with time.
Amsterdam and colleagues say longer trials are needed to assess whether pelvic pain and the side effects of treatment can be further reduced or even eliminated with prolonged treatment.
Posted: 24 August 2005
Anastrozole 'promising endometriosis therapy' 
