Research on hormone therapy and its effects. Covers menopause symptom relief, bronchiectasis risk, dementia links, and Alzheimer's risk.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia have found changes in blood vessel chemistry that may explain how estrogen increases the risk of heart disease in older women. Estrogen targets nitric oxide synthase, producing a powerful age-promoting oxygen-free radical instead of making nitric oxide.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo are conducting a 12-week study to evaluate the effectiveness of an amino acid supplement in reducing hot flashes in postmenopausal women. The trial will compare the active treatment with a placebo, and results may offer an alternative to hormone replacement therapy.
Researchers discovered that certain mutations in the androgen receptor cause advanced prostate cancer when introduced into healthy mice. These findings shed light on why hormone withdrawal therapy fails to cure most men with advanced prostate cancer, and open the door to discovering new, effective therapies.
A new study shows that exercise improves three measures of heart protection in postmenopausal women, including better blood clotting profiles and reduced blood clot activation. Regular physical activity may help prevent the formation of blood clots, leading to a lower risk of heart attacks.
A study found that women taking SSRIs with CYP2D6 variant alleles had lower tamoxifen metabolite levels, potentially impacting treatment efficacy. The authors suggest testing CYP2D6 genetic variants to personalize tamoxifen therapy.
A study found that prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy were at high risk of osteoporosis, yet few received prevention or treatment. Only primary care physicians were aggressive in managing osteoporosis risk.
The ATAC study's 5-year follow-up results show anastrozole increased disease-free survival and reduced cancer recurrence, with fewer side effects compared to tamoxifen. Anastrozole is now considered the preferred initial adjuvant endocrine treatment for postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive localised breast cancer.
A new study by Loyola Medicine found that tamoxifen or other hormonal therapy alone may not be sufficient to treat hormone-dependent breast cancer. Chemotherapy proved more effective in stopping cancer recurrence, especially when combined with tamoxifen.
A study presented at the SABCS showed a 30 percent reduction in breast cancer recurrence when postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer were switched from tamoxifen to AROMASIN after 2-3 years. This finding supports ASCO recommendations for adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors.
The use of celebrities to market drugs and diseases is a practice that raises concerns about public health and transparency. According to investigative reporter Ray Moynihan, this practice can lead to a lack of balance in the public debate about major health problems, as well as a failure to disclose potential conflicts of interest.
A four-year project aims to understand how androgen influences the skeleton, with potential implications for stress fracture prevention and treating osteoporosis. The study examines the effects of androgen therapy on bone health in both men and women.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that DHEA replacement therapy significantly decreases both visceral and subcutaneous abdominal fat in elderly men and women. The therapy also improves insulin action, correlating with the reduction in visceral fat.
Researchers examine how and why hormone therapy affects cognition, finding that treatment regimen influences memory performance. Continuous versus cyclical estrogen regimens show differing effects on cognitive function, with cyclical regimens leading to more errors in reference and working memory tests.
A study found that word retention drops sharply after two minutes among men undergoing testosterone deprivation therapy, despite initial encoding being similar to healthy men. The lack of testosterone affects the function of the hippocampus, a curved ridge in the brain controlling learning and memory.
Research suggests that teenage hormone therapy to reduce adult height in tall girls is linked to impaired fertility later in life. Women who received oestrogen therapy were more likely to experience difficulty becoming pregnant and had a lower per cycle rate of conception.
A new Group Health study examines the link between hormone therapy (HT) and breast density in women of various categories. The study found that estrogen-only therapy increases breast density, while progesterone use does not; longer HT use and older age at first use also increase breast density.
A study by Ann H. Partridge et al highlights the need for better patient-physician communication about fertility in young breast cancer patients. Fifty-seven percent of patients reported being very concerned about becoming infertile, with 29% influencing their treatment decisions.
Researchers found a 29% increased risk of all strokes and an 82% higher risk of ischemic stroke in women taking tamoxifen, compared to controls. The absolute increase in risk was small.
A study found that hormone therapy can limit heart muscle damage to 5% or cause permanent damage to 35%. Researchers are exploring how estrogen alone and other anti-inflammatory treatments may impact muscle damage. The study suggests different hormone therapies may have varying effects on postmenopausal women.
A recent study published in JAMA found that the use of estrogen plus progestin therapy was associated with an increased risk of venous thrombosis. The risk was higher among older and overweight postmenopausal women, as well as those with a genetic mutation for Factor V Leiden.
A Fox Chase Cancer Center study found IMRT to be cost-effective for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, improving quality-adjusted survival and reducing the need for additional treatments. The study's findings suggest that IMRT may offer better value compared to traditional conformal radiotherapy.
A clinical trial investigates botanicals like black cohosh and red clover for memory loss in menopause, exploring their potential as alternatives to hormone therapy. The study aims to understand how these therapies may influence brain function and cognitive performance.
A three-month study found that patients with type 2 diabetes preferred the prefilled NovoLog(R) Mix 70/30 FlexPen(R) disposable pen due to its ease of use and flexibility. Patients who had never used insulin before reported significant benefits in perceived clinical efficacy.
Researchers in The Netherlands and Belgium developed a new technique that uses genetically engineered rhTSH to stimulate thyroid cancer cells to absorb radioactive iodine, avoiding hypothyroidism and increasing safety. This approach may allow higher doses of radioiodine to be used when needed, improving treatment efficacy.
Researchers found that wastewater treatment plants employing reverse osmosis successfully removed more contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and hormones. This process improves the quality of reused water for irrigation and groundwater recharge.
Using combination therapies that include 6 months of androgen suppression therapy (AST) alongside radiation therapy (RT) improves survival rates for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. The study found significantly higher survival rates, lower prostate cancer-specific mortality, and a reduced need for salvage AST in the com...
A randomized clinical trial found that combining six months of hormone therapy with radiation therapy reduced the risk of death from prostate cancer by two-fold. Patients treated with this combination therapy had a lower risk of requiring salvage hormone therapy in the long term.
Researchers found that short-term hormone therapy can be beneficial for women with mild to severe menopausal symptoms, but may not be suitable for those at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that the decision to use hormone therapy should be based on individual goals and CVD risk.
Osteoporosis patients in US saw a four-fold rise in doctor visits from 1994 to 2003, driven by new medication availability. This trend shows improved treatment options for osteoporosis, but highlights the need for prevention strategies such as calcium use and physical activity.
A Cornell University-Stanford University meta-analysis of 30 clinical trials found that women starting HRT within two years of menopause had a lower total mortality risk. The study also showed significant reductions in hip fractures and recurrent urinary tract infections, but no change in breast cancer deaths.
Researchers found that using growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) therapy can increase normal growth hormone production and regulation in men with HIV lipodystrophy. This approach resulted in improved body composition, reduced fat deposits, and better cardiovascular health outcomes.
A new mouse model reveals that early pregnancy loss is triggered by the immune system's interference with reproductive hormones, specifically progesterone. This finding may contribute to human infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss, providing a potential target for therapy.
Researchers found that bicalutamide treatment resulted in increased bone mineral density, reduced body fat, and fewer side effects compared to leuprolide. This study suggests a single-drug treatment plan using bicalutamide may be an attractive alternative for men with non-metastatic prostate cancer.
Researchers tested angiostatic therapy on mice with endometriosis lesions, finding it inhibited new blood vessel growth and reduced existing lesion size. The most effective compound was endostatin, which also showed no side effects in animal trials.
Research suggests that estrogen therapy does not reduce the risk of dementia in older women. The study found a 76% increased risk for probable dementia among those taking estrogen compared to placebo. Hormone therapy also increased the risk of mild cognitive impairment and decline in global cognitive function.
A study found that estrogen alone did not reduce the risk of dementia in older women, doubling the risk compared to placebo. Global cognition also showed no improvement and was even adversely affected in some cases.
A recent study found that estrogen-alone hormone therapy may increase the risk of dementia in older postmenopausal women by 49%. This is compared to a placebo group where no such increase was observed. The researchers also found that almost half of the cases in both groups were Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found a strong correlation between low DHEAS levels and reduced desire, arousal, and responsiveness in women under 45. The study suggests that low DHEAS may be a more accurate indicator of low libido than testosterone levels.
A new treatment using genetically engineered thyrotropin alfa eliminates the need to withhold thyroid hormone medication after thyroidectomy, reducing symptoms of hypothyroidism. The study shows that patients can be treated effectively without experiencing unpleasant side effects.
A new study suggests that early hormone therapy can increase survival time by up to 14 years for men with aggressive prostate cancer, compared to those who delay treatment. Prostate cancer affects over 220,000 men annually in the US, with approximately 30,000 dying from the disease each year.
Researchers found that estrogen combined with MPA caused increased aggression and anxiety, reduced sexual activity, and altered brain chemistry. The study provides insight into the behavioral effects of HRT and its potential links to depression, anxiety disorders, and premenstrual mood changes.
A global study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that docetaxel therapy significantly improves survival time for hormone-resistant prostate cancer patients. Patients treated with tri-weekly docetaxel survived 2.4 months longer than those receiving the standard chemotherapy drug, mitoxantrone.
A new study finds that estrogen therapy significantly improves verbal memory performance in men with advanced prostate cancer, while hormone deprivation impairs it. Estrogen also reduces depression and confusion in these patients.
A new study found that hormone deprivation therapy is less effective for younger men with higher grade tumors, suggesting it needs further investigation as an alternative treatment for localized prostate cancer. The study also revealed a higher risk of bone fractures in men on hormone therapy due to osteoporosis.
Researchers discovered a molecular marker, the HOXB13:IL17BR ratio, that accurately predicts the reoccurrence of tumors in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. This finding suggests that HOXB13 may contribute to tumor invasion and metastasis.
Researchers found that tamoxifen-resistant breast cancers grow due to PKA-activated estrogen receptor modification. Identifying patients with activated PKA may lead to alternative treatments with aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant.
New research indicates that hormone therapy may still offer important health benefits to postmenopausal women. The study's authors argue that the effects of different estrogens and progestins can vary significantly depending on formulation, dosage, and administration method.
Researchers at the University of Uppsala developed PQL, a diagnosis and treatment program that leads to improvement in stress management and overall well-being. The program uses psychosocial, biological, and production measures and has been shown to have a clear impact on sleep, concentration, and physiological factors.
Researchers found that estrogen therapy can suppress adrenal androgen production, with marked reductions in DHEA-S, A4, and testosterone levels. The study suggests a potential mechanism for how estrogen affects androgen hormones, and has implications for postmenopausal women.
The study found significant improvements in mood and sexual performance, with sustained increases in lean body mass and bone mineral density over 3.5 years. Researchers observed minimal skin irritation and no major adverse effects, paving the way for testosterone gel as a safe treatment option.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital found that natural testosterone delivery products improved muscle strength and function in HIV-infected women with low testosterone levels. The treatment resulted in significant improvements in muscle mass and overall quality of life.
Drs. Thal and Nitsch receive the Potamkin Prize for their groundbreaking research on effective therapies to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Their work has revitalized hopes for a vaccine and slowed cognitive decline in patients.
A randomized trial of conjugated equine estrogen found no significant effect on coronary heart disease risk, but increased stroke risk and reduced hip fracture risk. The study concluded that estrogen therapy has no overall benefit for chronic disease prevention in postmenopausal women with hysterectomy.
The estrogen-alone study, part of the WHI, found that women taking this form of hormone therapy had an increased risk of stroke, with 44 cases per 10,000 women per year. However, it did not reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. The study involved 10,739 postmenopausal women and was stopped early due to these findings.
A new study shows that preoperative anastrozole treatment can downstage tumors and allow more patients to undergo less extensive breast-conserving surgery, reducing the need for mastectomy. The treatment has been shown to be effective in improving outcomes for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that women taking estrogen and progestin hormone replacement therapy had a lower risk of colorectal cancer, but those who developed cancer had more advanced cases. The researchers emphasize the importance of regular colonoscopy for women over 50.
Faslodex, a novel oestrogen receptor antagonist, has been approved by the EU for treating advanced oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The drug offers durable responses and tolerability benefits compared to existing therapies, with a unique sustained release formulation administered monthly.
Researchers have found that urocortin II administered intravenously significantly enhances heart muscle cell contractions in mice with congestive heart failure. The hormone targets the CRF2 receptor, leading to improved cardiovascular function and a potential new treatment for heart disease.
A Phase II study investigates the effectiveness of black cohosh and red clover in alleviating hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. The study aims to provide an evidence-based response for women seeking alternatives to hormone replacement therapy.
The National Institutes of Health has stopped the estrogen-alone study in healthy postmenopausal women due to an increased risk of stroke, but found no effect on heart disease. The trial also showed a decreased risk of hip fractures and no increase in breast cancer risk.