A sub-study of this trial tracked the effect of Aromasin and tamoxifen on triglycerides, HDL ("good cholesterol") and total cholesterol levels all 122 subjects (62 Aromasin, 60 tamoxifen) before and during therapy. After 24 weeks, the majority of patients with normal tryglyceride or HDL levels at the beginning of the study experienced no clinically relevant changes. After 24 weeks, patients with normal triglyceride levels at the start of the study (Aromasin 33, tamoxifen 27), showed a decrease of 20% or greater in triglyceride levels, 36% in Aromasin patients and 15% in tamoxifen patients. Also, 10% of the women taking tamoxifen experienced an increase of greater than 20% in HDL levels compared to 16% of the women treated with Aromasin.
Dr. Lohrisch continues, “Early results of this sub-study, of a limited number of patients, suggest that exemestane has no negative effect on triglycerides and HDL cholesterol, which is the good cholesterol.”