title: Current controversies in the endocrine therapy of advanced breast cancer.
abstract: The response of breast cancer to endocrine therapy depends on depriving the tumor cells of estrogen stimulation of cell division. This may be achieved by blocking estrogen synthesis in the body, using inhibitors of aromatase or by using drugs like tamoxifen, which interfere with the direct effects of estrogen on tumor cells. Current controversies relate to the mechanism for achieving more effective inhibition of estrogen synthesis and for the use of more specific antiestrogenic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Medical Breast Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Powles
mesh_terms: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D013629:Tamoxifen