Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology
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Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. · Oct 2001
ReviewRole of anti-aromatase agents in postmenopausal advanced breast cancer.
Endocrine therapy is a well-recognized approach to the treatment of postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer, particularly those with estrogen receptor-positive tumors. The availability of anti-aromatase agents, both reversible (nonsteroidal) and irreversible (steroidal), provides clinicians with additional hormonal treatment options. ⋯ The enhanced tolerability and superior efficacy of anti-aromatase inhibitors compared with megestrol acetate has resulted in these agents becoming the endocrine treatment of choice for women with advanced breast cancer who have progressed after tamoxifen treatment. The increased use of tamoxifen in the adjuvant setting and the demonstrated activity of aromatase inhibitors in first-line therapy will further increase the role of these agents.