US Pharm.2006;31(9):98.
HPV Vaccine Doesn't
Eliminate Need for Pap Tests
Vaccination against
human papillomavirus (HPV) could delay the start and frequency of Pap test
screening; however, regular Pap tests are still needed to screen for HPV
strains not protected against by the vaccine, according to the September Harvard
Health Letter. These strains account for about 30% of cervical cancers,
and regular Pap tests remain the best way to prevent such cancers. In June
2006, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted to recommend
the HPV vaccine Gardasil for use in females ages 9 to 26.
Painkillers Associated with
Birth Defects
Women taking NSAIDs
during the first trimester of pregnancy have a twofold increased risk of
having a child with a congenital anomaly, even after controlling for other
possible causes of birth defects, according to a report in Birth Defects
Research (Aug. 23, 2006; [Epub ahead of print]). Congenital anomalies were
identified in 8.8% of births among 1,056 women who had filled a prescription
for NSAIDs during the first trimester of pregnancy, compared with 7% of births
among 35,331 women who did not fill such a prescription.
Long-Term Safety of Breast
Cancer Drugs Shown
Results of the
Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination trial demonstrated that Arimidex
(anastrozole) is better tolerated after surgery than tamoxifen for the
treatment of postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer (Lancet
Oncology. 2006;7:633-643). Adverse events did not differ among the
treatment groups, but significantly fewer patients taking anastrozole
experienced adverse events that were related to treatment or that caused them
to withdraw from treatment. In addition, anastrozole had a significantly
better risk-benefit profile, which takes into account both the chance of
breast cancer recurrence and side effects caused by treatment.
Topotecan Not Recommended
for Ovarian Cancer
Topotecan does not
increase survival in patients with ovarian cancer when used with standard
chemotherapy and is not recommended for future use, according to results of a
phase III study (J Natl Cancer Inst. 2006;98:1036-1045). A total of
1,308 women with untreated ovarian cancer received paclitaxel and carboplatin
followed by either topotecan or surveillance. Adding topotecan to the
treatment regimen did not improve overall survival, progression-free survival,
or quality of life. Furthermore, treatment with topotecan increased the
frequency of blood-related toxicities and infections, which require extra
medical attention.
New Natural Contraceptive
Methods
New nonhormonal
contraceptive methods have been developed by Georgetown University's Institute
for Reproductive Health. One method, known as the Standard Days Method,
uses CycleBeads, a string of 32 color-coded beads that helps a woman keep
track of her cycle and the days during which she may become pregnant. The
Standard Days Method has shown to be 95% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Another method, known as the TwoDay Method, relies on the presence or
absence of cervical secretions and is 96% effective in preventing pregnancy.
The researchers encourage health care providers to present natural family
planning methods to patients and to be aware of the pros and cons of each
method.
HIV Drug May Be Used to
Treat Cervical Cancer
Using the protease
inhibitor lopinavir, researchers at the University of Manchester, United
Kingdom, are developing a topical treatment for HPV. According to a report in
the September Antiviral Therapy, lopinavir selectively kills cultured
HPV-infected cervical cancer cells and could eventually be used to create a
simple cream or pessary that could serve as an alternative to surgery in women
with precancerous lesions.
"We are currently exploring
the means of delivering this drug directly to the affected tissue. We would
then move to a clinical trial…. If this proves successful we could see the
treatment available fairly rapidly," said Dr. Ian Hampson.
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