[Aromatase inhibitors: a review of clinical trials].
To increase the therapeutic index of second line hormonal treatment of breast cancer, new aromatase inhibitors have been synthetized; they belong to two groups: type I (formestane and exemestane) are steroidal irreversible and specific inhibitors, type II (anastrozole, letrozole and vorozole) are non steroidal reversible inhibitors, interfering with the aromatase heme. Several phase II and III trials demonstrated that these drugs are, at least, as active as aminoglutethimid or progestins in second line treatment, and are less toxic. Recently, an identical activity have been observed for anastrozole and tamoxifen in first line. In metastatic and adjuvant settings, large trials are ongoing to clarify the exact value of these drugs.
Département d'oncologie médicale, Centre Eugène-Marquis, rue de la Bataille-Flandres-Dunkerque, CS 44229, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.
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D000077384:Anastrozole; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000730:Androstadienes; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; C060523:vorozole; D000077384:Anastrozole; D000735:Androstenedione; D000077289:Letrozole; C056516:exemestane; C014594:formestane