Lilly drug cuts some breast cancer risk-FDA staff

BOSTON, July 20 (Reuters) Eli Lilly&Co's osteoporosis drug Evista reduces the risk of breast cancer in some patients, but at a cost of an increased risk of serious side effects, US regulatory reviewers said in documents released today.

Food and Drug Administration staff said Evista reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in certain patients. But they said they will ask an advisory panel that meets Tuesday to weigh the benefit against serious risks, such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and possibly stroke death.

Evista is already approved to treat osteoporosis in women past menopause. The company is seeking approval to promote the drug for the reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and postmenopausal women at high risk for breast cancer.

Studies provide less support for the proposed new use to reduce the chances of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk, FDA reviewers said.

Reuters RN DB2040