Ginger D. Constantine

Efficacy of Bazedoxifene in Reducing New Vertebral Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis: Results From a 3-Year, Randomized, Placebo-, and Active-Controlled Clinical Trial†

In this 3‐yr, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐ and active‐controlled study, healthy postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (55–85 yr of age) were treated with bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg/d, raloxifene 60 mg/d, or placebo. The primary endpoint was incidence of new vertebral fractures after 36 mo; secondary endpoints included nonvertebral fractures, BMD, and bone turnover markers. Among 6847 subjects in the intent‐to‐treat population, the incidence of new vertebral fractures was significantly lower (p < 0.05) with bazedoxifene 20 mg (2.3%), bazedoxifene 40 mg (2.5%), and raloxifene 60 mg (2.3%) compared with placebo (4.1%), with relative risk reductions of 42%, 37%, and 42%, respectively. The treatment effect was similar among subjects with or without prevalent vertebral fracture (p = 0.89 for treatment by baseline fracture status interaction). The incidence of nonvertebral fractures with bazedoxifene or raloxifene was not significantly different from placebo. In a posthoc analysis of a subgroup of women at higher fracture risk (femoral neck T‐score ≤ –3.0 and/or ≥1 moderate or severe vertebral fracture or multiple mild vertebral fractures; n = 1772), bazedoxifene 20 mg showed a 50% and 44% reduction in nonvertebral fracture risk relative to placebo (p = 0.02) and raloxifene 60 mg (p = 0.05), respectively. Bazedoxifene significantly improved BMD and reduced bone marker levels (p < 0.001 versus placebo). The incidence of vasodilatation, leg cramps, and venous thromboembolic events was higher with bazedoxifene and raloxifene compared with placebo. In conclusion, bazedoxifene significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral fracture in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and decreased the risk of nonvertebral fracture in subjects at higher fracture risk.

Evaluation of bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and effects on metabolic parameters and overall safety profile

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC) composed of bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens (BZA/CE) on menopausal symptoms, metabolic parameters, and overall safety. DESIGN Multicenter, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled phase 3 trial (Selective estrogens, Menopause, And Response to Therapy [SMART]-1). SETTING Outpatient clinical. PATIENT(S) Healthy, postmenopausal women (n = 3,397) age 40 to 75 with an intact uterus. INTERVENTION(S) Single tablets of BZA (10, 20, or 40 mg), each with CE (0.625 or 0.45 mg); raloxifene 60 mg; or placebo taken daily for 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Hot flushes, breast pain, vaginal atrophy, metabolic parameters, and adverse events. RESULT(S) BZA (20 mg)/CE (0.625 or 0.45 mg) significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flushes and improved measures of vaginal atrophy compared with placebo. At week 12, the daily number of hot flushes decreased by 51.7% to 85.7% with all BZA/CE doses vs. 17.1% for placebo. BZA/CE improved lipid parameters and homocysteine levels, did not significantly change carbohydrate metabolism, and had only minor effects on some coagulation parameters. The incidences of breast pain and adverse events were similar between BZA/CE and placebo. CONCLUSION The TSEC composed of BZA (20 mg)/CE (0.625 or 0.45 mg) is an effective and safe treatment for menopausal symptoms.

Efficacy of tissue-selective estrogen complex of bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens for osteoporosis prevention in at-risk postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of the tissue-selective estrogen complex, bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens (BZA/CE), for postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention. DESIGN Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, phase 3 trial (Selective estrogen Menopause And Response to Therapy [SMART]-1). SETTING Outpatient clinical study. PATIENT(S) Women (n = 3,397) more than 5 years and 1-5 years postmenopause were enrolled in the Osteoporosis Prevention I and II Substudies, respectively. INTERVENTION(S) Single tablets of BZA (10, 20, or 40 mg) each with CE (0.625 or 0.45 mg), raloxifene (60 mg), or a placebo taken daily for 2 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) The primary outcome for both substudies was change in bone mineral density of the lumbar spine; bone mineral density was also measured at the hip. RESULT(S) In both substudies, bone mineral density increased significantly more with all BZA/CE doses compared with placebo at the lumbar spine and total hip, and for most BZA/CE doses compared with raloxifene at the lumbar spine. Osteocalcin and N-telopeptide significantly decreased with all BZA/CE doses vs. placebo and most BZA/CE doses vs. raloxifene. CONCLUSION(S) BZA/CE combinations decreased bone turnover and bone loss in postmenopausal women at increased risk for osteoporosis.

Relief of vasomotor symptoms with the tissue-selective estrogen complex containing bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens: a randomized, controlled trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of bazedoxifene (BZA)/conjugated estrogens (CE) treating moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms in the Selective Estrogen Menopause and Response to Therapy 2 trial. Methods: This was an outpatient, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study conducted in the United States. Healthy postmenopausal women (N = 332; aged 40-65 y) with moderate to severe hot flushes (≥7/d or 50/wk) were randomized to BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 mg, BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg, or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Changes from baseline in the average daily number of moderate and severe hot flushes and daily severity score were assessed at weeks 4 and 12; adverse events were recorded. Results: BZA/CE significantly reduced the number and severity of hot flushes at weeks 4 and 12 (P < 0.001). At week 12, BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 mg and BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg reduced hot flushes from baseline by 74% (10.3 hot flushes [baseline] vs 2.8 [week 12]) and 80% (10.4 vs 2.4), respectively, compared with 51% (10.5 vs 5.4) for placebo. More participants at week 12 had at least a 75% decrease in hot flushes with BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 mg (61%) and BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg (73%) versus placebo (27%; P < 0.001). The safety profile was similar between BZA/CE and placebo, and no unexpected safety findings were reported. Conclusions: BZA 20 mg paired with CE 0.45 or 0.625 mg is effective, with short-term safety, for treating vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women.

Efficacy and tolerability of desvenlafaxine succinate treatment for menopausal vasomotor symptoms: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine succinate (desvenlafaxine) with placebo for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 707 healthy, postmenopausal women experiencing 50 or more moderate-to-severe hot flushes per week. Participants randomly received desvenlafaxine 50, 100, 150, or 200 mg or placebo daily. Trial duration was 52 weeks. Primary outcomes were change from baseline in average daily number of moderate-to-severe hot flushes and in daily hot flush severity score at weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty women with an average of 11 moderate-to-severe hot flushes per day at baseline completed at least one on-therapy evaluation for primary efficacy end points; 519 participants completed 12 weeks of treatment, and 368 completed the study. Desvenlafaxine 100 mg/d achieved a significantly greater reduction compared with placebo in average daily number of hot flushes at weeks 4 (P=.013) and 12 (P=.005), reaching a 64% decrease from baseline at week 12, and the 75% responder rate was significantly higher for desvenlafaxine 100 mg (50%) compared with placebo (29%; P=.003; number needed to treat=4.7) at week 12. Average daily severity of hot flushes was significantly lower in the desvenlafaxine 100-mg group compared with placebo at week 12 (P=.020). Desvenlafaxine-treated women reported significantly more treatment-emergent adverse events than placebo-treated women during the first week of therapy only. CONCLUSION: Desvenlafaxine is an effective nonhormonal treatment for vasomotor symptoms in postmenopausal women. Its tolerability profile is consistent with that of other serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00421031 LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I

Endometrial effects of bazedoxifene acetate, a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator, in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the endometrial effects of bazedoxifene acetate in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: The endometrial effects of bazedoxifene 2.5, 5.0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/d were evaluated in a 2-part, 6-month, double-blind, randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study among a total of 497 healthy postmenopausal women. Conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg)/medroxyprogesterone acetate (2.5 mg) served as the active control. Patients underwent transvaginal ultrasonography to measure double-wall endometrial thickness and endometrial biopsy at baseline and at 6 months of treatment. The incidence of amenorrhea was assessed from self-reported daily diaries. RESULTS: Bazedoxifene treatment at 2.5–20 mg/d resulted in mean changes from baseline in endometrial thickness that were no different than those seen with placebo treatment. Changes in endometrial thickness for the bazedoxifene 30 and 40 mg groups were significantly smaller than for placebo. The change from baseline in endometrial thickness was significantly and inversely related to dose (P ≤ .001). None of the endometrial biopsy specimens demonstrated endometrial hyperplasia. Subjects in the 2.5–20 mg bazedoxifene groups experienced amenorrhea rates of 57–74%, comparable with the 59% seen in placebo. Over 90% of subjects treated with bazedoxifene 30 or 40 mg/d were amenorrheic at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Bazedoxifene at dosages up to 40 mg/d was well tolerated and did not stimulate the endometrium. The significant decreases in endometrial thickness and decreased uterine bleeding observed with doses of 30 and 40 mg/d as compared with placebo suggest endometrial antagonism, representing a novel characteristic not previously associated with any selective estrogen receptor modulator. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I

Bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator: effects on the endometrium, ovaries, and breast from a randomized controlled trial in osteoporotic postmenopausal women

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the endometrial, ovarian, and breast safety of bazedoxifene used as a treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: Healthy women (aged 55-85 y) with osteoporosis were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Participants were randomized to treatment with bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg, raloxifene 60 mg, or placebo daily for 3 years. Endometrial and ovarian safety was assessed by periodic transvaginal ultrasonography and endometrial biopsy through 24 months. Gynecologic and breast-related adverse events were recorded throughout the study. Results: Among 753 participants with available transvaginal ultrasonography data, there were no significant between-group differences in overall endometrial thickness or in the percentage of participants with endometrial thickness greater than 5 mm at 12 or 24 months. Changes in the mean endometrial thickness (±SE) from baseline were −0.07 ± 0.11 mm (bazedoxifene 20 mg), 0.10 ± 0.11 mm (bazedoxifene 40 mg), 0.16 ± 0.12 mm (raloxifene 60 mg), and −0.08 ± 0.11 mm (placebo) at 24 months. There was one report of endometrial hyperplasia in each group, and there were zero, two, two, and three reports of endometrial carcinoma with bazedoxifene 20 and 40 mg, raloxifene 60 mg, and placebo, respectively. There were no clinically important changes from baseline in the number or size of ovarian cysts among groups. There was a significantly lower incidence of fibrocystic breast disease (P ≤ 0.05) with bazedoxifene compared with raloxifene 60 mg. Conclusion: Bazedoxifene was associated with a favorable endometrial, ovarian, and breast safety profile in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Bazedoxifene effects on the reproductive tract in postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the endometrial, ovarian, and breast safety of bazedoxifene, a novel selective estrogen-receptor modulator, in postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis. Methods: Healthy postmenopausal women (N = 1,583; mean age, 57.6 y) with lumbar spine or femoral neck bone mineral density T scores between −1 and −2.5 and/or other clinical risk factors for osteoporosis were enrolled in a 24-month, phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trial. They received daily treatment with bazedoxifene 10, 20, or 40 mg; placebo; or raloxifene 60 mg. Reproductive safety assessments included periodic transvaginal ultrasound measurements of endometrial thickness, ovarian volume, and presence of ovarian cysts; periodic endometrial biopsies; and adverse event reporting. Results: Bazedoxifene was not associated with a significant change from baseline in mean endometrial thickness at month 24. The percentage of participants with a change from baseline in endometrial thickness or endometrial thickness greater than 5 mm at month 24 was similar among groups. There was no consensus diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia or malignancy in the bazedoxifene or raloxifene groups; the rates of other histologic findings, including endometrial polyps, were low (<5%) and similar among groups. No significant between-group differences were found in the change from baseline in ovarian volume, number or size of ovarian cysts, or incidence of ovarian cancer. Reports of breast pain (<4%) and breast cancer (<1%) were low and evenly distributed among groups. Conclusion: A favorable endometrial, ovarian, and breast safety profile was found after 2 years of treatment with bazedoxifene in healthy, recently postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis.

Safety of bazedoxifene in a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled phase 3 study of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

BackgroundWe report the safety findings from a 3-year phase 3 study (NCT00205777) of bazedoxifene, a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator under development for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.MethodsHealthy postmenopausal osteoporotic women (N = 7,492; mean age, 66.4 years) were randomized to daily doses of bazedoxifene 20 or 40 mg, raloxifene 60 mg, or placebo for 3 years. Safety and tolerability were assessed by adverse event (AE) reporting and routine physical, gynecologic, and breast examination.ResultsOverall, the incidence of AEs, serious AEs, and discontinuations due to AEs in the bazedoxifene groups was not different from that seen in the placebo group. The incidence of hot flushes and leg cramps was higher with bazedoxifene or raloxifene compared with placebo. The rates of cardiac disorders and cerebrovascular events were low and evenly distributed among groups. Venous thromboembolic events, primarily deep vein thromboses, were more frequently reported in the active treatment groups compared with the placebo group; rates were similar with bazedoxifene and raloxifene. Bazedoxifene showed a neutral effect on the breast and an excellent endometrial safety profile. The incidence of fibrocystic breast disease was lower with bazedoxifene 20 and 40 mg versus raloxifene or placebo. Reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein levels and increases in high-density lipoprotein levels were seen with bazedoxifene versus placebo; similar results were seen with raloxifene. Triglyceride levels were similar among groups.ConclusionBazedoxifene showed a favorable safety and tolerability profile in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.Trial RegistrationTrial registration number: NCT00205777; Trial registration date: September 16, 2005

A double-blind, randomly assigned, placebo-controlled study of desvenlafaxine efficacy and safety for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of desvenlafaxine (administered as desvenlafaxine succinate) for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. STUDY DESIGN Postmenopausal women (n = 458) experiencing 50 or more moderate to severe hot flushes per week received desvenlafaxine 100 or 150 mg/d, with titration at therapy initiation, or placebo. Hot flush number and severity were assessed at weeks 4 and 12. Safety data were collected throughout the trial. RESULTS Desvenlafaxine 100 and 150 mg/d significantly reduced the number of hot flushes compared with placebo at weeks 4 and 12 (all P < or = .012), achieving 65.4% and 66.6% reductions from baseline at week 12, respectively (placebo, 50.8%). Hot flush severity and number of nighttime awakenings were significantly reduced at both time points (all P < or = .048). Desvenlafaxine groups reported significantly more adverse events compared with placebo during week 1 only. No difference in discontinuations because of adverse events was observed. CONCLUSION Desvenlafaxine is an effective nonhormonal treatment for menopausal hot flushes. Dose titration improves initial tolerability.