Anastrazole and oral contraceptives: A novel treatment for endometriosis

Lisa L. Amsterdam, William Gentry, Smeta Jobanputra, Michael Wolf, Stephen D. Rubin, Serdar E. Bulun*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

202 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To establish the use of aromatase inhibitors as a therapeutic option for endometriosis. Design: Prospective open-label Food and Drug Administration phase 2 trial with Institutional Review Board approval. Setting: Outpatient tertiary care centers. Patient(s): Fifteen premenopausal patients with documented refractory endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain. Intervention(s): After a 1-month washout of endometriosis hormone therapies, women took 1 mg anastrazole (Arimidex; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) and one tablet of 20 μg ethinyl estradiol/0.1 mg levonorgestrel (Alesse; Wyeth, Madison, NJ) daily for 6 months. Main Outcome Measure(s): An analog pain scale recorded pelvic pain in daily diaries and surveys at baseline and after each treatment month. Side effects, blood counts, liver and renal function tests, cholesterol levels, and bone density were monitored. Result(s): Fourteen of 15 patients achieved significant pain reduction. Median pain scores decreased 55% after 6 months, while mean pain scores decreased 40%. Pain reduction comparing each treatment month to baseline achieved statistical significance. Average pain scores began dropping after only 1 treatment month and continued decreasing each additional month. No organ system experienced adverse effects. Estradiol levels were suppressed during treatment. Side effects were mild and improved over time. Conclusion(s): Fourteen of 15 patients with refractory endometriosis achieved significant pain relief using anastrazole and 20 μg ethinyl estradiol/0.1 mg levonorgestrel with minimal side effects. This treatment for endometriosis is a promising new modality that warrants further investigation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)300-304
Number of pages5
JournalFertility and Sterility
Volume84
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2005

Funding

This study was funded by a grant from AstraZeneca, makers of anastrazole (Arimidex). Wyeth provided samples of 20 μg ethinyl estradiol/0.1 mg levonorgestrel (Alesse) for this study. Dr. Bulun’s efforts were funded in part by National Institutes of Health grant no. HD38691 and an endowment from Friends of Prentice.

Keywords

  • Anastrazole (Arimidex)
  • Aromatase inhibitors
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic pain

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Reproductive Medicine

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