Aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer: pharmacoeconomic considerations.
Although the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen is recognised as the treatment of choice for both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with advanced hormone-dependent breast cancer, oestrogen deprivation can also be achieved, with apparently less adverse-effects, through selective inhibition of aromatase. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of the new generation of aromatase inhibitors as second-line and first-line therapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancers who were eligible for endocrine treatment. Speculating that administration of aromatase inhibitors will not be limited to postmenopausal breast cancer, a pharmacoeconomic perspective is considered based on available data and putative therapeutic application during various phases of the disease.
Higa
G M
GM
School of Pharmacy, Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-9520, USA. 911ga@hsc.wvu.edu
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013629:Tamoxifen