Statins and Breast Cancer Biomarkers

There is laboratory evidence that cholesterol lowering medications (statins) inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Clinical studies are controversial but some show that women taking statins are less likely to get breast cancer. This ongoing randomized trial compares one-year of atorvastatin (Lipitor™) or placebo for lowering mammography-defined breast density and other surrogate markers associated with breast cancer risk.

This project was designed to evaluate the effect of a specific statin (atorvastatin) on several breast cancer biomarkers. One hundred women will be treated for one year with either 40 mg of atorvastatin or placebo. The primary aim of this project is to determine the effect of atorvastatin on breast density, a known risk factor for breast cancer. In addition, the affect of atorvastatin on serum biomarkers (IGF1) and tissue biomarkers (atypia and Ki67) associated with risk is being evaluated.

Because of their tolerability and safety, statins have a great potential as a breast cancer preventative agent. Should this pilot study show a significant decrease in breast density and/or change in serum and tissue biomarkers in statin treated patients these data would then be used to support a large randomized trial.

This is a multi-center, prospective, randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. Target enrollment is 100 women, with 50 receiving atorvastatin and 50 receiving a similar appearing placebo tablet. Eligible women must be at least 35 years old with regular menstrual cycles and a Gail Model risk of greater than 1.66% over 5 years.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Women willing and able to give written informed consent
* Pre-menopausal women with regular menstrual cycles (4 cycles in the past 6 months)
* At least 35 years of age
* Women at increased risk of developing breast cancer, defined as at least one of the following four criteria:

  * Having had a biopsy demonstrating atypical hyperplasia or lobular neoplasia/LCIS
  * A germline mutation in BRCA1/2 in themselves or their family.
  * A Gail Model Risk of \> 1.67% over 5 years
  * A strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer which is defined as at least one of the following:

    * One first-degree relative with breast cancer before the age of 50 years
    * One first degree relative with bilateral breast cancer
    * Two or more first-degree relatives with breast cancer
    * One first degree relative and two or more second or third degree relatives with breast cancer
    * One first-degree relative with breast cancer and one or more relatives with ovarian cancer
    * Two second or third degree relatives with either breast cancer and one or more with ovarian cancer
    * One second or third degree relative with breast cancer and two or more with ovarian cancer
    * Three or more second or third degree relatives with breast cancer
  * A prior history of breast cancer, including DCIS and stage 0-IIIb, and are at least one year off of all therapy (including radiation, biologic, hormonal and/or chemotherapy)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women with a prior history of stage IV breast cancer or ovarian cancer
* Women already taking statins. Women previously on statins may participate if they have not taken any statins in the six months prior to study entry
* Women concurrently participating in another breast cancer chemoprevention trial
* Women taking hormone replacement therapy (estrogen and progesterone; topical estrogen will be allowed)
* Women taking tamoxifen, raloxifene, or an aromatase inhibitor
* Women taking drugs that increase risk of statin induced myopathy or rhabdomyolysis (i.e., Niacin, protease inhibitors, verapamil, gemfibrozil, cyclosporine, clofibrate/fenofibrate or any CYP3A4 inhibitor)
* Women with underlying liver disease or abnormal liver studies including:

  * alkaline phosphatase, ALT, AST and Bilirubin (greater than 1.5 times normal)
* Women who have had hypersensitivity to atorvastatin or any component of the formulation
* Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy within the next year, or breastfeeding