[Aromatase inhibitors of the 3rd generation. What can the "pill against breast cancer" really do?].
Metastatic cancer of the breast in postmenopausal women can be treated with a number of "hormone-active" substances. The drugs of first choice are still anti-estrogens. Today, the three highly selective oral aromatase inhibitors anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane are additionally available for use in continuing progression under anti-estrogen treatment. Roughly one woman in three derives benefit from these new medications as reflected by objective remission or stabilization of the disease for more than 6 months. Neither chemical structure (steroidal/non-steroidal), nor the different nature of inhibition of the active centre of the aromatase, nor whether the inhibition of the enzyme is reversible or irreversible, has any influence on the parameters: response rate, response duration and clinical benefit.
Junker
A
A
Sana Klinikum Remscheld GmbH, Apotheke, Remscheid.
Wiedemann
G J
GJ
Possinger
K
K
D000077384:Anastrozole; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000730:Androstadienes; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077384:Anastrozole; D000077289:Letrozole; C056516:exemestane