Aromatase inhibitors, arthralgias, and exercise in breast cancer survivors.

Abstract

TPS669 Background: A substantial number of breast cancer survivors who are taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs) complain of side effects including arthralgias. Given the efficacy of AIs, it is essential that we identify approaches to mitigate arthralgias. We are conducting an NCI-funded trial is to examine the impact of a year-long exercise intervention in 180 breast cancer survivors taking an AI and experiencing at least mild arthralgias. Outcomes include severity of arthralgias, endocrine-related quality of life, % body fat, bone mass, and serum markers of inflammation. The purpose of this abstract is to present preliminary recruitment and adherence results. Methods: Women are being recruited via the Connecticut Tumor Registry and Rapid Case Ascertainment Shared Resource of Yale Cancer Center into the Hormones and Physical Exercise (HOPE) Study. Participants are randomly assigned to exercise (n = 90) or usual care (n = 90). The exercise intervention includes supervised resistance and unsupervised aerobic exercise sessions over 12 months. Data are collected at baseline, 3-, 6-, 9 and 12-months. Results: Study recruitment began in April 2010 and will continue through December 2012. As of January 1, 2012, we have received 1605 names of potentially eligible women. Of these 1605, 777 women are waiting to be screened (e.g., letter mailed to patient or on hold because recently diagnosed), 244 women could not be screened (e.g., unable to contact by phone), and 584 women have completed a telephone screening. Of the 584 women screened, 24% were ineligible because of discontinuing AIs because of arthralgias or chose not to take AIs primarily because of this potential side effect; another 36% were ineligible for various reasons; 24% were not interested; 11% were randomized (n = 65 women); and 5% are undergoing baseline visits (n = 29). On average, women are 62 yrs old and have been taking an AI for 1.8 yrs. Twenty-three women have completed the trial, with high exercise adherence rates (attendance to supervised sessions = 82% ). Conclusions: A growing number of women are choosing to not take AIs or are discontinuing AIs because of side effects. Our study may prove beneficial for the growing number of women diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer each year.