Tocotrienol and Tamoxifen for Early Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Nesaretnam Kalanithi, Selvaduray Kanga Rani, Abdul Razak Ghazali, Veerasenan Sheela Devi, Gomez Patricia A
Primary Institution: Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Hypothesis
Tocotrienol intake may be associated with improved survival and lower recurrence in patients with early breast cancer.
Conclusion
The study found no significant association between tocotrienol therapy and breast cancer-specific survival in women with early breast cancer.
Supporting Evidence
- Five-year breast cancer-specific survival was 98.3% in the intervention group and 95% in the control group.
- The risk of mortality due to breast cancer was 60% lower in the intervention group, but this was not statistically significant.
- The study had complete follow-up of all patients who complied with their treatment.
Takeaway
This study looked at whether a vitamin called tocotrienol helps women with early breast cancer live longer when taken with another medicine called tamoxifen, but it didn't find strong evidence that it does.
Methodology
A double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot trial was conducted over 5 years with 240 women assigned to receive either tocotrienol-rich fraction plus tamoxifen or placebo plus tamoxifen.
Potential Biases
Nonrandom assignment of participants may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study lacked randomization and had a relatively small sample size with low outcomes, which may limit the ability to detect significant differences.
Participant Demographics
Women aged 40 to 60 years with early breast cancer and estrogen receptor-positive tumors.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.27
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 0.08 to 2.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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