title: A pilot study of letrozole for one year in women at enhanced risk of developing breast cancer: effects on mammographic density.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tamoxifen or raloxifen for 5 years reduces the risk of developing invasive breast cancer by 40%. To address safety concerns and seek enhanced efficacy, studies of new chemopreventive agents using mammographic density as a surrogate end point are attractive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postmenopausal women with risk factors for developing breast cancer were given letrozole 2.5 mg daily for one year, and mammographic density was the biomarker of breast cancer risk modification. It was assessed (blinded to the reader) at baseline, 6, and 12 months in 16 evaluable women among 20 enrolled.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight patients exhibited decreased mammographic density at six months, and eleven at 12 months. Toxicities included joint aches not precluding continued treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study supports the use of letrozole for reducing breast cancer risk. In addition, it encourages prospective studies of serial changes in mammographic density as a biomarker of risk modification within a selected high-risk population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Oncology) and NYU Cancer Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dilawari
authors.forename: Giske
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ursin
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Andreopoulou
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Checka
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Axelrod
authors.forename: Amber
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guth
authors.forename: Hildegard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: Minerva
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Utate
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carapetyan
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diflo
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muggia
mesh_terms: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077289:Letrozole; D008327:Mammography; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077289:Letrozole