Letrozole for the management of breast cancer.
Letrozole, a third-generation aromatase inhibitor, has been the only aromatase inhibitor to date to show unequivocal superiority to tamoxifen as first-line treatment of metastatic postmenopausal breast cancer. The superiority of letrozole compared with tamoxifen was also reflected in the neoadjuvant setting, in both estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-unknown patients with differing HER-2 status. Currently, studies are being performed in the adjuvant setting, which will provide important data on the long-term safety of letrozole and help determine its suitability as a chemopreventive agent in healthy women at risk of developing breast cancer. Nevertheless, the superior clinical efficacy and survival data of letrozole suggest that it has the potential to displace tamoxifen as the gold standard in breast cancer treatment in the coming years.
Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, 610 University Avenue, 5-303, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada. pegoss@interlog.com
Paul E
PE
Goss
Robert E
RE
Smith
D000077384:Anastrozole; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D009570:Nitriles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014230:Triazoles / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000730:Androstadienes; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004967:Estrogens; D009570:Nitriles; D011372:Progestins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D014230:Triazoles; D000077384:Anastrozole; D000077289:Letrozole; C056516:exemestane