title: Pharmacogenetics of Aromatase Inhibitors in Endocrine Responsive Breast Cancer: Lessons Learnt from Tamoxifen and CYP2D6 Genotyping.
abstract: Genetics play a significant role in drug metabolism of endocrine therapy of breast cancer. These aspects have been studied extensively in patients on tamoxifen, but the pharmacogenetics of aromatase inhibitors are less established. In contrast to the protective effect of tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors are linked with an increased risk for bone loss and fractures.
  
  
  
  This review outlines key issues in the implementation of pharmacogenetics of cytochrome P450 and tamoxifen as a model for optimal use of aromatase inhibitors in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
  
  
  
  Lessons learnt from the association between tamoxifen and CYP2D6 genotyping were applied to identify polymorphisms with the potential to change clinical decision-making in patients on aromatase inhibitors. The ability of next generation sequencing to supersede single-gene analysis was furthermore evaluated in a subset of breast cancer patients on aromatase inhibitors selected from a central genomics database.
  
  
  
  Methodological flaws in major randomised controlled trials and continued referral to incorrect results in expert consensus statements are important factors delaying the implementation of CYP2D6 pharmacogenetics in tamoxifen treatment. This highlighted the importance of a clinical pipeline including comprehensive genotyping, to define the target population most likely to benefit from aromatase inhibitor pharmacogenetics.
  
  
  
  The clinical utility of CYP2D6 genotyping is well-established in patients at increased risk of tamoxifen resistance due to cumulative risk. The pharmacogenetics of CYP19A1 requires further clarification in terms of bone risk assessment for appropriate use in the treatment algorithm of high-risk patients at the onset of aromatase inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Department Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive Tygerberg. South Africa.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Baatjes
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg. South Africa.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conradie
authors.affiliation: Department Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive Tygerberg. South Africa.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Apffelstaedt
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and the National Health Laboratory Service, Tygerberg Hospital, Tygerberg. South Africa.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kotze
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D010597:Pharmacogenetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen; D019389:Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6
keywords: Breast cancer; aromatase inhibitors; bone health; oncology; pharmacogenetics; tamoxifen