Novel concepts for the chemoprevention of breast cancer through aromatase inhibition.
Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have a proven role in the treatment of early and metastatic breast cancer. The success of tamoxifen in reducing the relative risk of developing hormone-sensitive breast cancer in chemoprevention trials has been hampered by their long-term toxicity profile. AIs have the potential to further reduce rates of breast cancer in high-risk postmenopausal women. This article reviews the evidence to support the potential efficacy of AIs in the chemoprevention setting. It particularly focuses on a discussion of novel concepts of utilising AIs, so that they reduce breast cancer risk while minimising systemic toxicity, and highlights the importance of accurately developing risk prediction algorithms.
Kendall
Anne
A
Academic Department of Biochemistry, Wallace Wing, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Fulham Road, London SW3 6JJ, UK. anne.kendall@icr.ac.uk
Dowsett
Mitch
M
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D015519:Bone Density; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D017698:Postmenopause; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004967:Estrogens; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators