DECAPEPTYL LP 3 mg (triptorelin), GnRH analogue

Insufficient clinical benefit to justify its reimbursement, in combination with tamoxifen or with an aromatase inhibitor, for the adjuvant treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer in non-menopausal women at high risk of relapse, after chemotherapy.

• DECAPEPTYL (triptorelin) LP 3 mg has been granted a marketing authorisation, in combination with tamoxifen or with an aromatase inhibitor, for the adjuvant treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer in non-menopausal women at high risk of relapse, after chemotherapy.

• Triptorelin is a natural GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone) analogue that suppresses oestrogen synthesis by the ovaries. Suppression of ovarian function, combined with tamoxifen, causes increased toxicity relative to tamoxifen alone.

• One study demonstrated the absence of benefit in terms of 5-year disease-free survival of ovarian function suppression (in particular by triptorelin) combined with tamoxifen compared to tamoxifen alone.

• DECAPEPTYL LP 3 mg has no role in the current management strategy for early stage hormone-sensitive breast cancer in non-menopausal women, a strategy which is based on tamoxifen used alone.