Polytherapy improves blood pressure control and survival in metastatic breast cancer

Women with metastatic breast cancer often face multiple chronic conditions, and high blood pressure is among the most common. Nearly half of women in this study population had hypertension at diagnosis, with even higher rates among Black and Hispanic patients. Researchers sought to understand whether more effective hypertension management could improve survival. 

The study found that polytherapy, or treatment with multiple classes of antihypertensive medications, was associated with significantly better survival outcomes. Compared with monotherapy, polytherapy was linked to a 38% lower risk of all-cause mortality. 

The benefits were even greater for women who took their blood pressure medicines regularly. Those who consistently filled their prescriptions saw their risk of dying drop by 58%. Polytherapy also proved more effective in controlling blood pressure, with more than 75% of polytherapy users achieving systolic blood pressure under 140 mmHg during follow-up. 

These patients face an overwhelming burden of chronic conditions, yet these issues are often overlooked in the rush to treat the cancer itself. Our findings highlight a simple but powerful message: paying close attention to comorbidities may help extend life, especially for women of color who have long faced disparities in cancer outcomes." 

Reina Haque, PhD, MPH, lead researcher, Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research & Evaluation

The implications of this research underscore the need for coordinated care across oncology, cardiology, and primary care. Because polytherapy was associated with reduced mortality, clinicians may consider prioritizing hypertension control as an essential part of survivorship care, in addition to treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Future studies will explore optimal antihypertensive regimens, and integrated care models that can further reduce disparities and improve outcomes.