title: Aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer: an overview.
abstract: We examined published reports on the use of aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Our data were obtained through a MEDLINE search of literature published in English. Current data indicate that aromatase inhibitors are equivalent or superior to tamoxifen as first-line therapy for metastatic breast cancer and as neoadjuvant treatment for primary breast cancer. In addition, randomized studies have shown that aromatase inhibitors can be administered instead of tamoxifen as a single agent for 5 years or sequentially with tamoxifen for 5 or 10 years. These choices should be discussed with the patient, considering the estimated risk for recurrence and other associated comorbid conditions such as osteoporosis and thromboembolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Medical Oncology, Unit 424, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030-4009, USA.
authors.forename: Kadri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Altundag
authors.forename: Nuhad K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013629:Tamoxifen