Medscape

The use of hormonal therapies in patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer has demonstrated significant improvements in outcomes. Currently, the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy is the standard of care in postmenopausal women. Increasingly, however, third-generation aromatase inhibitors, which work by blocking the peripheral conversion of testosterone to estrogen by the enzyme aromatase, have been found to produce equivalent or higher response rates and equivalent or longer remissions compared with tamoxifen.

Researchers at the 25th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium presented the latest data on the use of the aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and letrozole in the treatment of breast cancer. Specifically, the studies were designed to compare the efficacy of the aromatase inhibitors with tamoxifen in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and to identify the patient populations that can benefit most from their use.

Hormonal Therapy Options for Breast Cancer
Emma Hitt, PhD

Understanding the Role of Letrozole
Emma Hitt, PhD