In a new study, researchers have found a link between beta-blockers and survival outcomes in some breast cancer patients.
Beta-blockers, commonly used to manage high blood pressure, were linked to worse survival outcomes in patients with HER2 (Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2) positive advanced breast cancer.
The research was conducted by a team at Flinders University.
In the study, the team used data from 2,777 patients and showed worse survival outcomes for patients with HER2 positive advanced breast cancer who used beta-blocker drugs.
The research highlights a group of breast cancer patients whose survival outcomes are profoundly poorer.
Given about 20% of breast cancer patients overexpress HER2, and cardiovascular toxicities are a known complication anti-HER2 therapies, this study importantly shows a subgroup of patients in which the team recommends further test to find strategies to improve treatment outcomes.
The team says future research should aim to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of beta-blockers on specific breast cancer subtypes, cancer types, and cancer treatments.
One author of the study is Professor of Clinical Pharmacology Michael Sorich.
The study is published in the Frontiers In Oncology.
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