Pfizer wins HRT trial as new study knocks safety

Pfizer's Wyeth unit properly warned patients about the cancer risks of its Prempro drug, and so it isn't liable for one woman's breast cancer.

The latest lawsuit over hormone replacement therapy went Pfizer's way, but a new study has not. Yesterday, an Arkansas jury found that Pfizer's Wyeth unit properly warned patients about the cancer risks of its Prempro drug, and so it isn't liable for one woman's breast cancer. Cue the statements of disappointment from plaintiff's lawyers and contentment from Pfizer.

Pfizer's happiness didn't last long, however. About an hour later, research based on Women's Health Initiative data made its debut -- and it showed that not only do women who use estrogen-progestin therapy--like Prempro--for menopause experience an increased risk of cancer, but an increased severity of disease as well.

Some 385 women using the hormones developed invasive breast cancer over the 11-year study, compared with 293 women in the placebo group. More of the women on HRT had advanced breast cancer when diagnosed. The proportion of breast cancer-related death was increased as well. Until now, resear