Cymbalta Reduces Pain in Breast Cancer Patients

Duloxetine, or Cymbalta, was effective at reducing joint and muscle pain associated with a breast cancer treatment, according to a study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The study included female participants who were taking aromatase inhibitors to block the production of estrogen and reduce breast cancer. About 50% of women taking the drugs experience aches and pains in their joints and muscles that cannot be adequately relieved by over-the-counter painkillers. Up to 20% of these women stop taking an aromatase inhibitor because of the pain.

"Since women typically take these drugs for five years, it is important that the side effects not interfere too much with their quality of life, or they will be less likely to continue taking the medicine, which may lead to a greater chance of their breast cancer returning," said study author N. Lynn Henry, MD, PhD., assistant professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School, in a press release.

Breast cancer statistics reveal that 209,060 Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and 40,230 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

Henry presented the initial results of the study at the 33rd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.

Duloxetine, or Cymbalta, is used to treat depression and generalized anxiety disorder. It's also been shown to work in multiple other chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia and, more recently, osteoarthritis. It is believed to decrease pain through its actions in the central nervous system.

Of 29 patients evaluated, nearly three-quarters reported that their pain had decreased by at least 30%. On average, after eight weeks of treatment, pain scores declined 61%. Only one in five patients stopped taking duloxetine because of side effects.

"Duloxetine appears to be effective at reducing the muscle and joint pain many women experience from aromatase inhibitors, with only mild additional side effects," Henry said.

The researchers are planning a randomized, controlled trial comparing duloxetine to placebo. Henry is also doing research looking at the effect of aromatase inhibitors on pain perception to better understand why women develop pain.

Additional U-M authors include: Mousumi Banerjee, PhD., Dorothy Blossom, Max Wicha, MD, Catherine Van Poznak, MD, Jeffrey Smerage, MD, PhD., Anne Schott, MD, Jennifer Griggs, MD, MPH., and Daniel Hayes, MD

The research is supported by an Investigator Initiated Grant from Lilly Pharmaceuticals.

Source: University of Michigan Health System

--Are the study results surprising? Will Cymbalta's use be expanded? Leave a comment.