A combination drug known as BZA/CE may offer a safer alternative to tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer risk and improving metabolism without the harsh side effects associated with the latter. Women in midlife, particularly those in their 40s to 60s transitioning into menopause, often face a high risk of breast cancer and are commonly prescribed tamoxifen for prevention. While tamoxifen effectively combats cancer, it frequently causes severe hot flashes and raises the risk of type 2 diabetes in overweight women, deterring many from using it.
Researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered that BZA/CE could provide similar cancer protection without triggering these unpleasant side effects. In fact, their findings suggest that this drug combination may even enhance body weight, fat metabolism, and gut health, particularly in individuals with obesity.
BZA/CE, already approved by the FDA for managing hot flashes and preventing bone fractures, presents an alternative approach. Besides reducing hot flashes, it might aid in weight management and lowering breast cancer risk. Erin Giles, an associate professor of kinesiology, highlighted the potential benefits of BZA/CE as a substitute for tamoxifen in overweight individuals.
In a study using older female rats at a heightened risk of breast cancer due to a cancer-causing agent, researchers split the rats into lean and obese groups based on their fat content. Each group received either BZA/CE or a control treatment for eight weeks, during which changes in weight, fat levels, insulin response, and gut bacteria were monitored.
Results showed that the treated rats exhibited lower body weight and fat levels compared to the untreated rats. In the obese group, the treated animals weighed approximately 19% less than the untreated ones and had breast tissue with reduced and smaller fat cells. Additionally, triglyceride and cholesterol levels decreased in the BZA/CE group, and their improved insulin sensitivity indicated a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Giles emphasized the lower levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, along with reduced insulin resistance in the treated rats.
“A study conducted by Erin Giles and colleagues revealed that the drug combination BZA/CE is effective in reducing body weight, adiposity, and food intake in both lean and obese rats. In addition to weight loss, the treatment also positively altered the gut microbiota composition by increasing beneficial microbes such as Faecalbaculum rodentium and Odoribacter laneus, which are associated with improved metabolic function.
These beneficial microbes aid in food processing, leading to enhanced glucose control, healthier fat storage, reduced inflammation, improved hormone balance, and increased cellular energy utilization. Furthermore, the drug combination was found to reverse harmful gene activity patterns related to cancer in mammary glands of obese rats, indicating a potential decreased risk of tumor development.
Giles suggested that BZA/CE could be a more advantageous option compared to tamoxifen for obese individuals transitioning into menopause. The treatment showed improvements in insulin resistance markers and metabolic health.
Future research will focus on investigating the effects of BZA/CE on gene expression in women, with the hope that similar benefits observed in rats may also be applicable to humans. If successful, BZA/CE could become a valuable preventive option for women at high risk of breast cancer, offering comprehensive benefits such as reducing hot flashes, lowering body fat, enhancing gut health, and addressing harmful changes associated with obesity while lowering the risk of tumor growth.
Currently undergoing phase 2 clinical trials for breast cancer risk reduction, BZA/CE holds promise as a multifaceted approach to breast cancer prevention, contrasting with the single-target action of tamoxifen. By addressing cancer risk, symptoms, and metabolic health simultaneously, BZA/CE could provide women with a more favorable preventive care option, potentially transforming the landscape of breast cancer prevention strategies.”
