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Australia

"RU486 pill targets breast cancer, PMT"

Source: Daily Telegraph

Published: 29 Mar 2006

Category: Pharmaceutical

Rating: (3½ stars)

what they said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

BRITISH scientists are developing a contraceptive pill that could reduce the risk of breast cancer, thrombosis and heart disease, and stops periods altogether.

The original article can be found at: http://dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,18641912-5001027,00.html

how did it rate? (more information)

Criteria	Rating
Total Score	5 of 8
Novelty of Treatment	Not Satisfactory (?)
Availability of Treatment	Satisfactory (?)
Treatment Options	Satisfactory (?)
Disease Mongering	Satisfactory (?)
Evidence	Not Satisfactory (?)
Quantification of Benefits of Treatment	Not Satisfactory (?)
Harms of Treatment	Satisfactory (?)
Costs of Treatment	Not Applicable
Sources of Information	Satisfactory (?)
Relies on Press Release	Not Applicable

what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

This is a very brief article but it manages to get some important points across. In our view it should have been made clearer that the research into the use of RU486 as a contraceptive is preliminary and the suggestion that it will lead to lower rates of breast cancer and thrombosis is pure speculation at this stage. A small point but the article describes the product as a 'milder form' of RU486; it is in fact a very small dose of the drug.

public forum

(02 Jun 2009) Mary writes,

"It might be reasonable to also note that the drug does have anti-cancer properties and this more recent case report clearly outlines:

Anticancer Res. 2009 May;29(5):1611-3.
Mifepristone may halt progression of extensively metastatic human adenocarcinoma of the colon - case report.

BACKGROUND: Mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist has been found to improve the length and quality of life in various spontaneous murine cancer models including tumors without progesterone receptors theoretically by inhibiting an immunomodulatory protein that suppresses natural killer cell function in the tumor microenvironment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mifepristone 200 mg per day by mouth was given to two patients with stage 4 colon cancer with extensive metastases. RESULTS: Both patients not only survived far longer than expected but had marked improvement in their quality of life similar to mice. Though the metastatic lesions did not disappear, no new ones appeared for a long time and the ones present did not grow. The drug was extremely well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The use of progesterone receptor antagonists may present a novel immunotherapy to help fight cancer. A larger controlled study is needed."

(05 Jun 2007) PM writes,

"My sister just had her 3rd surgery for a non malignant cancer. She is recovering in a Florida hospital as we speak. Her medical doctors want to start her on this RU486 pill to stop the growth of this brain tumor; which seems to be on the move rather quickly. Her last surgery was only 3 years ago. I'm looking for more info. on this medication."
(this comment has been moderated)

(02 Nov 2006) Mary writes,

"I think there is merit where this research is concerned and RU486 (mifepristone) is a known anti-cancer agent. I've been on the drug now for 5 months, 1 x 200mg tablet per day for a progesterone dependant tumour which is a much higher dose than would be prescribed as a contraceptive pill. Even at that dose I've had no adverse side-effects from the drug and it is not toxic at all. Progesterone is the hormone necessary to sustain a pregnancy so it would make an ideal contraceptive as well as an abortifacient (at higher doses). Many tumours and cancers are also progesteorne dependant. Makes sense to me."

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