Breakthrough In Cancer Prevention Claimed By Kymed

Kymed GB, a privately-owned US biopharmaceutical company, says it hasdeveloped a new process for the production of Z-tamoxifen "which eliminates the harmful side effects of currently-available commercial supplies of the drug."

Z-tamoxifen has a proven track record in the treatment of breast cancer and has also been shown to prevent the occurrence of the disease in women with a high genetic propensity to contract it. Because of its apparent ability to reduce cholesterol levels, the company notes, Z-tamoxifen may also be of use in the treatment of heart disease.

However, Kymed adds, "unfortunately, current production methods for Z-tamoxifen also produce traces of the isomer E-tamoxifen, which is believed to be associated with a two- to-three-fold increased risk of the patient contracting cervical cancer," and while this risk may be acceptable to women who know they already have breast cancer, it compromises use of the drug for prophylaxis purposes.