MedWorm: Arimidex

  Analysis of hormone antagonists in clinical and municipal wastewater by isotopic dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Authors: Liu X, Zhang J, Yin J, Duan H, Wu Y, Shao B A comprehensive method was developed for the simultaneous trace analysis of ten hormone antagonist pharmaceuticals (raloxifene, exemestane, letrozole, anastrozole, mifepristone, finastride, tamoxifen, N-desmethyltamoxifen, clomiphene, and toremifene) in municipal sewage and hospital wastewater samples. The target compounds were firstly extracted using an Oasis HLB cartridge, followed by purification by an aminopropyl cartridge, and were then analyzed by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in positive ion mode. The recoveries for the analytes based on internal standard calibration in different test matrices ranged from 67.6 to 118.6% (with the exception of mifepristone in clinical wastewater samples)...

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  ARIMIDEX (Anastrozole) Tablet [AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP]

Updated Date: Feb 25, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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  Relationship Between Plasma Estradiol Levels and Estrogen-Responsive Gene Expression in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women [Breast Cancer]

Conclusion Plasma E2 levels are significantly associated with gene expression of ER-positive breast cancers and should be considered in future genomic studies of ER-positive breast cancer. The AvERG is a new experimental tool for the study of putative estrogenic stimuli of breast cancer. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

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  Dual-drug vs single-agent aromatase inhibitor therapy

Fulvestrant-anastrozole combination did not demonstrate advantage despite a better dose loading schedule and compelling preclinical data. (Source: Cancer Network)

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  Prevention of Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Bone Loss Using Risedronate: The SABRE Trial [Breast Cancer]

Conclusion In postmenopausal women at risk of fragility fracture who were receiving adjuvant anastrozole for EBC, the addition of risedronate at doses established for preventing and treating osteoporosis resulted in favorable effects in BMD during 24 months. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

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  Paxil May Raise Death Risk for Those Taking Tamoxefin

Breast cancer patients who are taking Tamoxefin to prevent a recurrence of the disease should not take the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine), a new study suggests. Women in the study who took both drugs together had a greater than average risk of dying from breast cancer. The study looked at medical records for 2,430 breast cancer patients who had been taking tamoxefin. About 1 out 4 of these women had also taken Paxil; and, on average, about 41% of the time that the women were taking tamoxefin they were also taking Paxil. The researchers found that there was about one extra death from breast cancer for every 20 women who had taken the two drugs together. The researchers believe that the risk of death from breast cancer was increased because Paxil interferes with the cancer-preventing a...

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  Low-Molecular-Weight Cyclin E Can Bypass Letrozole-Induced G1 Arrest in Human Breast Cancer Cells and Tumors.

CONCLUSIONS: Roscovitine treatment can reverse intrinsic or acquired resistance to letrozole due to LMW-E expression in breast cancer cells. These data support the clinical investigation of CDK2 inhibitor therapy for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive, LMW-E-expressing breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 16(4); 1179-90. PMID: 20145171 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

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  Acupuncture comparable to venlafaxine for vasomotor symptoms in women with breast cancer

Source: JCO Area: News The most debilitating adverse effects of chemotherapy and hormone therapy for women with breast cancer are vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats). This randomised controlled preliminary study evaluated the safety and efficacy of venlafaxine and acupuncture, which has been found to be effective in reducing vasomotor symptoms in menopausal women.   A total of fifty women with stage 0-III pre- or postmenopausal breast cancer on hormone therapy with tamoxifen or arimidex, were randomised to twelve weeks of acupuncture (n = 25) or venlafaxine (n = 25) treatment. Patients in the control arm took venlafaxine 37.5 mg orally at night for 1 week, then 75 mg, if tolerated, at night for the remaining 11 weeks. Patients in the acupuncture arm received treatments...

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  Understanding resistance to endocrine agents: molecular mechanisms and potential for intervention.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that inhibition of both the HER2 and estrogen signaling pathways is required to prolong the responsiveness of the tumors to endocrine therapies. In addition, we have shown that HER2 upregulation is an adaptive process that the tumors undergo during continued letrozole treatment, which is reversed upon removal of the treatment. The tumors regain responsiveness to letrozole after a short period "off" treatment. These studies suggest that by reversing the resistance to hormone therapy, patients could have a second response and could delay the need for chemotherapy. PMID: 20133251 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Genitourinary Cancer)

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  Tamoxifen Malabsorption After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: Case Series and Review of the Literature

Pharmacotherapy 30(2): 217-217 Abstract Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a gastric reduction duodenal switch with a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive procedures. It is the most common gastric bypass procedure performed in the United States. Malabsorption causing nutritional deficiencies does occur, yet a PubMed literature search (1955-2009) returned no reports of malabsorption of anticancer agents after gastric bypass. To our knowledge, this is the first report of three cases of malabsorption of the anticancer agent tamoxifen after this procedure. The first patient was a 58-year-old woman who underwent Roux-en-Y bypass for morbid obesity. Two years later, she developed estrogen receptor-positive ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, underwent lumpectomy and irradiation, and tamoxif...

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  A comparison of anastrozole and testosterone versus placebo and testosterone for treatment of sexual dysfunction in men with epilepsy and hypogonadism.

Authors: Herzog AG, Farina EL, Drislane FW, Schomer DL, Smithson SD, Fowler KM, Dworetzky BA, Bromfield EB Hyposexuality is commonly associated with low bioavailable testosterone (BAT) and relative estradiol elevation in men with epilepsy. This prospective, randomized, double-blind trial compared the effects of depotestosterone+the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (T-A) versus depotestosterone+placebo (T-P) on sexual function, hormone levels, mood, and seizure frequency in men with epilepsy. Forty men with focal epilepsy, hyposexuality, and hypogonadism were randomized 1:1 to two groups (T-A or T-P) for a 3-month treatment trial of depotestosterone+either anastrozole or matching placebo. Outcomes included both efficacy and safety measures. Normalization of sexual function (S-score) occu...

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  SABRE: Adding risedronate to anastrozole improved BMD in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer

(Source: HemOncToday.com)

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  Pomegranates may prevent estrogen-driven breast cancer

(NaturalNews) Many breast cancers are estrogen-dependent. So a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors (AI) that block the synthesis of estrogen are used by mainstream medical doctors to attempt to slow the growth of estrogen sensitive breast tumors. Unfortunately, as the Mayo Clinic web site points out, AI drugs -- which include anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara) and exemestane (Aromasin) -- come loaded with side effects including hot flashes, severe joint pain, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, bone fractures and a potential risk of heart disease. But now comes good news: there appears to be a natural alternative to AIs. Researchers say they've found a substance that could prevent the development of hormone-dependent breast cancer and halt the growth of estrogen-driven tumors -...

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  Prevention of aromatase inhibitor-induced bone loss using risedronate: The SABRE Trial

Source: JCO Area: News According to research published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, in post-menopausal women at risk of fragility fracture who were receiving adjuvant anastrozole for early breast cancer (EBC), the addition of risedronate at doses established for preventing and treating osteoporosis resulted in favourable effects in bone mineral density (BMD) during 24 months.   Researchers had sought to investigate the management of bone health in women with early breast cancer, who were scheduled to receive anastrazole. The study included post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive EBC who were assigned to one of three strata by risk of fragility fracture:   . Patients with the highest risk (H) received anastrozole 1 mg/day plus risedr...

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  [News] Time to raise the bar for cancer drug approval?

The recent finding that adding trastuzumab to anastrozole improves progression-free survival (PFS) by just over 2 months in postmenopausal women with HER2/hormone-receptor co-positive metastatic breast cancer (compared with anastrozole alone) raised the issue, once again, of how much benefit is sufficient for regulatory agencies to approve new cancer drugs and for health-service providers to agree to pay for them. (Source: The Lancet Oncology)

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  Switching To Letrozole Helps Breast Cancer Patients With Anastrozole-Related Rheumatologic Symptoms

Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer who develop arthralgia and/or myalgia (A/M) while being treated with anastrozole may want to consider a switch to letrozole therapy, researchers said at the 32nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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  Switching To Letrozole Helps Breast Cancer Patients With Anastrozole-Related Rheumatologic Symptoms

Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer who develop arthralgia and/or myalgia (A/M) while being treated with anastrozole may want to consider a switch to letrozole therapy, researchers said at the 32nd Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS)... (Source: Breast Cancer News From Medical News Today)

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  Effect of a switch of aromatase inhibitors on musculoskeletal symptoms in postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer: the ATOLL (articular tolerance of letrozole) study

This study shows that in patients intolerant to one AI, switching to another agent allows a higher proportion of patients to continue the therapy and maximize hormonal adjuvant therapy and disease outcome benefits. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical trialDOI 10.1007/s10549-009-0692-7Authors Karine Briot, Paris Descartes University Rheumatology Department, Cochin Hospital, Rheumatology Department 27 rue Faubourg Saint Jacques 75014 Paris FranceMichèle Tubiana-Hulin, René Huguenin Institute St Cloud FranceLaurent Bastit, Frédéric Joliot Center Rouen FranceIoana Kloos, Novartis Rueil Malmaison FranceChristian Roux, Paris Descartes University Rheumatology Department, Cochin Hospital, Rheumatology Department 27 rue Faubourg Saint Jacques 75014 Paris France Journal Br...

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  Aromatase Inhibition Offers Little Benefit, Possible Harm to Men With Low Testosterone

Anastrozole therapy can boost testosterone levels in older men but may reduce bone mineral density (BMD), researchers report in the December issue of Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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  SABCS: Vitamin D Reduces Aromatase Inhibitor Pain (CME/CE, with video)

SAN ANTONIO (MedPage Today) -- High-dose vitamin D significantly reduced mucle and joint pain in breast cancer patients treated with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole (Arimidex), results of a small, randomized clinical trial showed. (Source: MedPage Today Hematology/Oncology)

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  Dual-drug vs single-agent aromatase inhibitor therapy makes no difference in hormone-dependent disease

Despite a better dose loading schedule and compelling preclinical data, the combination of fulvestrant and anastrozole did not demonstrate any advantage in first relapse of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, according to first results from the FACT trial. (Source: Cancer Network)

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  Fulvestrant Alone or in Combination With Anastrozole vs Anastrozole Alone Significantly Impacts ER H-Score, But No Added Benefit With Anastrozole Combination in Postmenopausal Women With ER+ Breast Cancer

Capsule Summary - Despite different biological mechanisms for reducing estrogen levels, these data demonstrate that combining anastrozole with fulvestrant does not provide additional clinical benefit over fulvestrant alone. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  FACT: No Benefit With Addition of Fulvestrant to Anastrozole Therapy for the Treatment of Hormone Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer Patients After Relapse

Capsule Summary - Initial results from this randomized phase III trial show that median TTP, median OS, and response rates were all similar with fulvestrant plus anastrozole vs anastrozole alone. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  Aromatase Inhibitors May Be More Effective Than Tamoxifen

Long-term treatment of breast cancers with aromatase inhibitors such as anastrozole may reduce recurrence and breast cancer deaths compared with tamoxifen, according to a study published online Nov. 30 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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  Hormonal deprivation therapy-induced osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy significantly increases the disease-free survival in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. AIs are potent inhibitors of oestradiol production. Large adjuvant trials showed that the third-generation AIs (i.e., anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane) are risk factors for an increased bone loss, and are associated with an increase in the risk of fractures in women with bone fragility. A comprehensive assessment of risk of fractures must be performed at the initiation of an AI therapy. Antiresorptive drugs (i.e., bisphosphonates and denosumab) are effective for bone loss prevention and treatment in these patients. (Source: Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology)

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  Switching from tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors for adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal patients with early breast cancer

Summary: The third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs), including anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole, have demonstrated improved efficacy versus tamoxifen for the adjuvant endocrine treatment of postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. AIs can be used in several adjuvant endocrine settings: as upfront therapy, switch to an AI after 2–3years of tamoxifen or extended therapy following 5years of tamoxifen. In the switch setting, two different types of study designs have been utilized. One is a late randomization design which randomizes patients who are disease-free after 2–3years of tamoxifen to receive an AI versus continuation of tamoxifen. In contrast, an early randomization design randomizes all patients immediately after primary treatment and prior t...

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  ETAR antagonist ZD4054 exhibits additive effects with aromatase inhibitors and fulvestrant in breast cancer therapy, and improves in vivo efficacy of anastrozole

Abstract  Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin A receptor (ETAR) contribute to the development and progression of breast carcinomas by modulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and anti-apoptosis. We investigated antitumoral effects of the specific ETAR antagonist ZD4054 in breast cancer cells and xenografts, and assessed antitumoral efficacy of the combinations of ZD4054 with aromatase inhibitors and fulvestrant. Gene expression changes were assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Cell proliferation was measured using alamarBlue®; migration and invasion assays were performed using modified Boyden chambers. Evaluating the antitumoral efficacy of ZD4054 in vivo, different breast cancer models were employed using nude mice xenografts. ZD4054 reduced ET-1 and ETAR expression ...

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  A study of the effects of the aromatase inhibitors anastrozole and letrozole on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

In conclusion, AI-induced bone turnover increases over time. Anastrozole and letrozole produce similar effects on bone metabolism and turnover. Stopping tamoxifen therapy and starting AIs results in a significantly greater increase in bone turnover compared with commencing AIs in tamoxifen-naïve patients. Patients given tamoxifen following AI therapy showed a decrease in markers of bone resorption. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical trialDOI 10.1007/s10549-009-0646-0Authors Fiona M. McCaig, Western General Hospital Breakthrough Research Unit, Edinburgh Breast Unit Edinburgh EH4 2XU Scotland UKLorna Renshaw, Western General Hospital Breakthrough Research Unit, Edinburgh Breast Unit Edinburgh EH4 2XU Scotland UKLinda Williams, University of Edinburgh Centre for Population...

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  Anastrozole plus trastuzumab better than anastrozole alone for certain breast cancers

The addition of trastuzumab to anastrozole significantly improves outcomes for patients with combined human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer compared with anastrozole alone, study results show. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)

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  Anastrozole plus trastuzumab better than anastrozole alone for certain breast cancers

The addition of trastuzumab to anastrozole significantly improves outcomes for patients with combined human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive and hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer compared with anastrozole alone, study results show. (Source: MedWire News - Breast Cancer)

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  Trastuzumab Plus Anastrozole Versus Anastrozole Alone for the Treatment of Postmenopausal Women With Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive, Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Results From the Randomized Phase III TAnDEM Study [Breast Cancer]

Conclusion Trastuzumab plus anastrozole improves outcomes for patients with HER2/hormone receptor–copositive MBC compared with anastrozole alone, although adverse events and serious adverse events were more frequent with the combination. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

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  Anastrozole: Henoch-Schonlein purpura: case report

(Source: Reactions)

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  Drug-induced pruritic micropapular eruption: anastrozole, a commonly used aromatase inhibitor.

Authors: Bremec T, Demsar J, Luzar B, Pavlović MD Anastrozole, a selective nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor is widely used as an adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with early hormone-sensitive breast cancer. There are few reports on cutaneous side effects of anastrozole. It may induce subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, erythema nodosum, cutaneous vasculitis, and nondescript skin eruptions. A 68-year-old woman was prescribed anastrozole after surgical removal of her breast cancer and adjuvant radiation therapy. Two months later she experienced a generalized pruritic micropapular eruption. History, clinical presentation, histology and inadvertent re-exposure to the drug confirmed that anastrozole triggered the exanthem. Pruritic micropapular eruption is a typical patter...

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  Serum estradiol should be monitored not only during the peri-menopausal period but also the post-menopausal period at the time of aromatase inhibitor administration

Conclusion: The results indicate that, in some breast cancer patients with ordinary menopause, E2 rebounds following AI therapy. In the future, E2 monitoring should be performed for a larger number of patients being administered AI therapy.Trial registration: Our trial registration number is 19-11-1211. (Source: World Journal of Surgical Oncology)

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  Anastrozole: Pruritic skin eruption in an elderly patient: case report

(Source: Reactions)

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  Randomized Biomarker Trial of Anastrozole or Low-Dose Tamoxifen or Their Combination in Subjects with Breast Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

CONCLUSIONS: The addition of a weekly tamoxifen administration did not impair anastrozole bioavailability and modulated favorably its safety profile, providing the rationale for further studies. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(22):7053-60). PMID: 19887477 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical Cancer Research)

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  Arthralgia with aromatase inhibitors

Source: J Clin Oncol Area: News Two articles in the Journal of Clinical Oncology examine the incidence and characteristics of arthralgia associated with aromatase inhibitors in patients with breast cancer.   In the first, the authors, from an academic centre in Turkey, report a prospective case-series of patients treated with an aromatase inhibitor (for stage 1 to 3 breast cancer) who had a detailed rheumatologic assessment including autoimmune serology, musculoskeletal sonography, and electromyography (EMG). They were compared with a control group of patients not receiving hormone treatment.   In total, 120 patients were included: 92 were taking an aromatase inhibitor (mostly anastrozole and letrozole) and 28 were taking no hormone therapy. Almost a third (30, 32.6%) of...

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  Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Results From the ATAC Trial [Breast Cancer]

Conclusion Although the use of anastrozole is associated with a greater incidence of CTS, it is rare, and most cases were of mild to moderate intensity and short duration. CTS has little impact on the overall risk-to-benefit ratio for the use of anastrozole in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

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  The role of Aromatase Inhibitors in the treatment of Gynaecomastia

Introduction: Gynaecomastia is a benign condition of the male breast resulting from an imbalance in oestrogen/androgen ratio. Most of the circulating oestrogen is produced by the aromatisation of testosterone thus aromatase inhibitors (AIs) could be the mainstay of treatment. The aim of this study was to identify patients treated with the AI Arimidex, assess its effectiveness and identify any factors that may predict response to treatment. (Source: European Journal of Surgical Oncology)

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  Anastrozole: Retinal artery occlusion: case report

(Source: Reactions)

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  Effects of Aromatase Inhibition on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover in Older Men with Low Testosterone Levels.

Conclusions: In older men, aromatase inhibition increases testosterone levels, decreases estradiol levels, and appears to decrease BMD. Aromatase inhibition does not improve skeletal health in aging men with low or low normal testosterone levels. PMID: 19820017 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism)

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  Variation in Early Breast Cancer Systemic Adjuvant Therapy Practice among UK Oncologists with Potential Impact on Patient Benefit and the Financial Burden: National Postal Questionnaire Survey

Sir — Anonymous questionnaire survey forms were posted to 201 breast oncologists in 38 cancer networks across the UK in July 2008. Ninety-six oncologists (48%) from 35 networks (92%) responded (1–12 oncologists/network: median=2; 1–4 oncologists/hospital: median=1). For a 55-year-old fit and well woman, uses of anthracycline (no taxane) and taxane chemotherapy were 95% vs 3% for pN0, 50% vs 50% for pN1 and 9% vs 91% for pN2-3. Nine oncologists from seven networks used only anthracycline chemotherapy (no taxane) for any nodal status. Some oncologists also looked at tumour grade and oestrogen receptor status to make their choices. Different anthracycline regimens were FEC (47%), E-CMF (43%) and EC (9%); different taxane regimens were FEC-D (PACS-01 regime ) (72%), TAC (11%) and others ...

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  Anastrazole with or without trastuzumab for postmenopausal HER-2 positive breast cancer - results of the phase III TAnDEM study

Source: JCO Area: News According to research published early online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, trastuzumab plus anastrozole improves outcomes for patients with HER2/hormone receptor-co-positive metastatic breast cancer compared with anastrozole alone.   Researchers in the TAnDEM (Trastuzumab and Anastrozole directed against ER-positive HER2-positive mammary carcinoma) study evaluated hormonal therapy with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in combination with trastuzumab, without chemotherapy, in postmenopausal women with HER2/hormone receptor- copositive MBC.   Postmenopausal women with HER2/hormone receptor-copositive MBC were randomly assigned to receive anastrozole (1 mg/day orally) with (n=103) or without (n=104) trastuzumab (4 mg/kg intravenous infusion on...

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  Activity of Fulvestrant 500 mg Versus Anastrozole 1 mg As First-Line Treatment for Advanced Breast Cancer: Results From the FIRST Study [Breast Cancer]

Conclusion First-line fulvestrant HD was at least as effective as anastrozole for CBR and ORR and was associated with significantly longer TTP. Fulvestrant HD was generally well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of anastrozole. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

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  A randomized trial exploring the biomarker effects of neoadjuvant sequential treatment with exemestane and anastrozole in post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer

This study compared the effect of two sequences of aromatase inhibitor use [steroidal (exemestane) and non-steroidal (anastrozole)] on serological and pathological biomarkers when given in the neoadjuvant setting to postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Thirty women were assigned to receive exemestane 25 mg or anastrozole 1 mg each given for 8 weeks in a randomized sequence. The effect of this treatment on serum estrone sulfate and estradiol levels, as well as tumor changes in the proliferation biomarker Ki67 were evaluated at baseline, 8 weeks and 16 weeks. WHO clinical response criteria, patient preference, and quality of life were also assessed. Assessable data was available from 28 patients. There were no differences in concentration changes of serum e...

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  Anastrozole increases risk of carpal tunnel syndrome?

Source: JCO Area: News An analysis of follow up data from the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer, has found that although the use of anastrozole is associated with a greater incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) , it is rare, and most cases were of mild to moderate intensity and short duration.   This post-hoc analysis was based on the 100-month median follow-up data  in the two monotherapy arms (anastrozole, n = 3,092; tamoxifen, n = 3,094).   After 100 months of follow-up when all patients had completed five years of treatment: . 80 cases (2.6%) of CTS were reported in the anastrozole arm, compared with 23 cases (0.7%) in the tamoxifen arm (P < 0.0001). . The majority of CTS...

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  High-Dose Fulvestrant Helpful Against Breast Cancer

For first-line endocrine therapy in advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, double the approved dose of fulvestrant does at least as well as anastrozole, researchers report in the August 24th issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Pharmacist Headlines)

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  Strategies for Maximizing Growth in Puberty in Children with Short Stature

The approach to the child with growth retardation who is in puberty remains an important clinical challenge. The use of high-dose growth hormone (GH), suppression of puberty with GnRH analogs in combination with GH, and the use of selective inhibitors of the aromatase enzyme with aromatase inhibitors (also in combination with GH) are all therapeutic choices that have been studied. Aromatase blockade effectively blocks estrogen production in males with a reciprocal increase in testosterone, and a new generation of aromatase inhibitors, including anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane, is under investigation in adolescent subjects with severe growth retardation. This class of drugs, if judiciously used for a window of time, offers promise as an adjunct treatment of growth delay in pubertal pa...

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  Concurrent administration of chemo-endocrine therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The pCR rate of the concurrent administration of chemo-endocrine therapy was not lower than those of past trials, but it remains uncertain whether this positive result was due to the administration of the aromatase inhibiter or our NAC regimen. In order to answer this, we need to make a direct comparison between the concurrent versus sequential administration of the aromatase inhibitor during NAC in a prospective study. PMID: 19728030 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Breast Cancer)

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  Fulvestrant Shows Benefits in Advanced Breast Cancer

High-dose fulvestrant, an estrogen receptor antagonist, appears to be at least as effective as the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole as a first-line endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women with advanced hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, according to research published online Aug. 24 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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  Clinical usefulness of high-dose toremifene in patients relapsed on treatment with an aromatase inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS: TOR120 was rated excellent in acceptability, and high efficacy was observed when it was used up to third-line treatment for AI-failure cases, although this study may show some selection bias because of the retrospective study. In addition, it was also considered effective for TAM-failure cases. PMID: 19685269 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Breast Cancer)

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  Aromatase Inhibitors for Ovulation and Pregnancy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (July/August).

CONCLUSIONS: Further trials comparing aromatase inhibitors with clomiphene citrate are necessary before aromatase inhibitors can be recommended routinely for ovulation induction in women with PCOS and infertility. However, aromatase inhibitors may be considered in a subset of this population, specifically women who are clomiphene citrate resistant or those who, after discussion of risks and benefits, are not candidates for clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, or GnRH analogs. PMID: 19584394 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)

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  Metastasis of Lobular Breast Carcinoma to the Uterus in a Patient under Anastrozole Therapy.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the second case of lobular breast carcinoma metastasized to the uterus under anastrozole therapy. In women with lobular breast cancer under adjuvant anastrozole therapy, who present with vaginal bleeding, uterine metastasis of lobular carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis. PMID: 19556822 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Onkologie)

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  Hemicentral Retinal Artery Occlusion in a Breast Cancer Patient Using Anastrozole.

Conclusion: To the best knowledge of the authors, this is the first report of hemicentral retinal artery occlusion in an anastrozole user. PMID: 19556821 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Onkologie)

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  Adverse events and bone health during anastrozole therapy in postmenopausal Japanese breast cancer patients.

CONCLUSION: Incidence of adverse events during AI therapy in this Japanese postmenopausal population appears to be lower than that of the ATAC trial. The incidence of bone fractures during AI therapy is lower in Japan, and the addition of bisphosphonates enhances bone health. We should perform a prospective trial in the future to investigate the precise risk of bone fractures in Japanese patients. PMID: 19526308 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Breast Cancer)

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  Biological profile of oestrogen receptor positive primary breast cancers in the elderly and response to primary endocrine therapy

Abstract: Aromatase inhibitors have been shown to be superior to Tamoxifen in several settings. It is unclear whether this superiority extends to their use as primary endocrine therapy in elderly patients with early operable primary breast cancer. Biological characteristics of the tumours may aid in selecting the most suitable agent.Primary endocrine therapy with Anastrozole in 64 women >70 years with oestrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) breast cancer was compared to that in 84 treated with Tamoxifen during the same period. Biomarkers were assessed by immunohistochemistry on diagnostic core biopsies.There was no significant difference between the two groups (Anastrozole vs Tamoxifen) in terms of clinical benefit rates at 6 months (97% vs 100%) or median progression free survival (16.5 vs...

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  Effects of morphine on testosterone levels in rat C6 glioma cells: Modulation by anastrozole

Rat C6 glioma cells are commonly used to investigate the functions of glial cells. To evaluate the presence of testosterone and its metabolism in rat C6 glioma cells, we cultured them in media with or without the addition of testosterone propionate and anastrozole, a blocker of aromatase, the enzyme needed to transform testosterone into estradiol. The same procedure was repeated with morphine (10 and 100 µM), known to decrease testosterone levels in the brain (in rats) and plasma (in rats and humans). Confluent cells were exposed to the test media for 48 h and then collected. Cell pellets were used to determine testosterone by radioimmunoassay. The C6 cells contained detectable levels of testosterone and the levels increased with the addition of testosterone to the medium. Aromatase block...

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  Expression of the K303R Estrogen Receptor-{alpha} Breast Cancer Mutation Induces Resistance to an Aromatase Inhibitor via Addiction to the PI3K/Akt Kinase Pathway

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are rapidly becoming the first choice for hormonal treatment of estrogen receptor- (ER)–positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, de novo and acquired resistance frequently occurs. We have previously identified a lysine to arginine transition at residue 303 (K303R) in ER in premalignant breast lesions and invasive breast cancers, which confers estrogen hypersensitivity and resistance to tamoxifen treatment. Thus, we questioned whether resistance to AIs could arise in breast cancer cells expressing the ER mutation. As preclinical models to directly test this possibility, we generated K303R-overexpressing MCF-7 cells stably transfected with an aromatase expression vector. Cells were stimulated with the aromatase substrate, androstenedione, with ...

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  Ruptured gallbladder as the first presentation of breast cancer

Conclusion: We present a rare case of gall bladder perforation from metastatic breast cancer. (Source: World Journal of Surgical Oncology)

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  History of aromatase: saga of an important biological mediator and therapeutic target.

Authors: Santen RJ, Brodie H, Simpson ER, Siiteri PK, Brodie A Aromatase is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Initial studies of its enzymatic activity and function took place in an environment focused on estrogen as a component of the birth control pill. At an early stage, investigators recognized that inhibition of this enzyme could have major practical applications for treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, alterations of ovarian and endometrial function, and treatment of benign disorders such as gynecomastia. Two general approaches ultimately led to the development of potent and selective aromatase inhibitors. One targeted the enzyme using analogs of natural steroidal substrates to work out the relationships between structure and function. T...

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  Enhancing the efficacy of hormonal agents with selected targeted agents.

Authors: Johnston SR Several selected targeted agents are being investigated in combination with endocrine therapy for patients with breast cancer in an attempt to overcome or prevent endocrine resistance. The role of type I growth factor receptors epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and HER2 in cross-talk with estrogen receptor (ER) signaling has been confirmed in preclinical studies in which various inhibitors have yielded additive or synergistic effects when combined with endocrine agents. Recently, several results from clinical trials investigating this concept have been reported. In ER-positive/HER-positive advanced breast cancer, the addition of trastuzumab to the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole, or the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lapatinib to letrozole, both have signifi...

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  Arimidex (Anastrozole) - updated on RxList

Arimidex (Anastrozole) drug description - FDA approved labeling for prescription drugs and medications at RxList (Source: RxList - New and Updated Drug Monographs)

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  Comparative review of anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane in the management of early breast cancer

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy , Early Online, Vol. 0, No. 0. (Source: Expert Opinion: Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy: Table of Contents)

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  A Case of Brain Metastases from Breast Cancer that Responded to Anastrozole Monotherapy

(Source: The Breast Journal)

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  21-Gene expression profile assay on core needle biopsies predicts responses to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients

This study examined postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients who received prospective neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NAET) with tamoxifen or anastrozole to determine if the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) predicts NAET responses. RS scores were determined from pretreatment core biopsy specimens. Although half of the specimens yielded insufficient RNA, the remaining samples were highly representative. Patients with a low RS tended to respond better than those with an intermediate or high RS (n=43). Response rates by RS were similar between the tamoxifen and anastrozole groups. Patients with a low RS tended to have better relapse-free survival (RFS) than those with an intermediate or high RS (5y-RFS; 100% vs. 84% and 73%, respectively). These results suggest that RS pre...

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  The effect of anastrozol on spatial memory in adult rats

Abstract  Androgens are known to affect cognitive functions via organizational and activational effects. It is unknown whether the effects are mediated via the androgen receptor or after conversion to estradiol with aromatase via estrogen receptors. The aim of our study was to find out whether testosterone affects spatial memory directly or through its metabolite estradiol. Rats were treated with testosterone; with testosterone and the aromatase blocker anastrozole or saline. An 8 radial arm maze was used for testing spatial memory twice daily for 4 days. Each arm was baited with food, and the ability of animals to learn the location of food was assessed. Testosterone treated rats and control rats achieved comparable coefficients of spatial memory, although the plasma level...

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  21-Gene expression profile assay on core needle biopsies predicts responses to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients.

This study examined postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients who received prospective neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NAET) with tamoxifen or anastrozole to determine if the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) predicts NAET responses. RS scores were determined from pretreatment core biopsy specimens. Although half of the specimens yielded insufficient RNA, the remaining samples were highly representative. Patients with a low RS tended to respond better than those with an intermediate or high RS (n=43). Response rates by RS were similar between the tamoxifen and anastrozole groups. Patients with a low RS tended to have better relapse-free survival (RFS) than those with an intermediate or high RS (5y-RFS; 100% vs. 84% and 73%, respectively). These results suggest that RS pre...

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  Combined down-regulation by aromatase inhibitor and GnRH-agonist in IVF patients with endometriomas—A pilot study

Conclusions: Prolonged combined anastrozole and goserelin down-regulation significantly reduces endometriomal volume and serum CA125, and is compatible with IVF pregnancy and delivery. However, a high pregnancy loss was noted. (Source: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology)

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  Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine treatment with tamoxifen or anastrozole in a randomly selected sample of postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer is evaluated in this study. Annals of Oncology (Source: Medscape Hematology-Oncology Headlines)

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  Initial treatment and changes in adjuvant endocrine therapy for early stage breast cancer.

Authors: Schwartzberg LS, Cobb P, Senecal F, Henry D, Kulig K, Walker MS, Houts AC, Stepanski EJ Clinical trials have shown that aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are an important advance in the treatment of early stage breast cancer (ESBC), but practice patterns and the impact of treatment side effects of endocrine therapy in the community setting have not been extensively explored. This retrospective chart review describes practice patterns among patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for ESBC. Charts of 200 patients with confirmed stage I-IIIA breast cancer were reviewed. Patients received first-line treatment with tamoxifen (n=96) or AIs (n=104). Fifty-one patients completed a structured interview regarding symptom burden during therapy. Time to discontinuation or switching from fi...

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  Improved survival in patients with breast rhabdoid tumors with multi-agent adjuvant chemotherapy combined with irradiation

Conclusion  Multi-agent chemotherapy combined with irradiation may be associated with the relatively long survival of the present case. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Short CommunicationDOI 10.1007/s00280-009-0989-6Authors Yoshitaka Furuya, Sodegaura Satsukidai Hospital Department of Surgery 5-21 Nagauraekimae Sodegaura Chiba 299-0246 JapanHironobu Yanagie, The University of Tokyo Hospital, The University of Tokyo Cooperative Unit of Medicine and Engineering Research Tokyo JapanTakashi Wakahara, Sodegaura Satsukidai Hospital Department of Surgery 5-21 Nagauraekimae Sodegaura Chiba 299-0246 JapanYoshiya Mishina, Sodegaura Satsukidai Hospital Department of Surgery 5-21 Nagauraekimae Sodegaura Chiba 299-0246 JapanHarutoshi Akimoto, Sodegaura Satsukidai Hospital Depart...

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  Immunologic Role of Anastrozole as a Potent Accelerator of Experimental Postmenopausal Polyarthritis.

Authors: Jingxuan W, Qingyuan Z, Shi J, Meiyan F, Xinmei K, Shu Z, Shuling L, Zhao W Aromatase inhibitors have become the standard of care for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal, hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Meanwhile, more and more breast cancer patients who are treated with aromatase inhibitors as adjuvant therapies often experience arthralgias and musculoskeletal aching, in some cases, have necessitated discontinuation of treatment. We therefore use a rat model of human RA to test the hypothesis that anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, could enhance arthritis. The parameters used for analyzing the disease severity included paw volume, radiology, histopathological examination, markers for cytokine profile, immunophenotypic assays, and immune response to type II collagen. A...

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  ARIMIDEX Offers Women Greater Protection Against HR+ Early Breast Cancer Returning In The 1st 2 Yrs

"Anastrozole is the only aromatase inhibitor (AI) which has now been shown to prevent recurrences in women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer both during the initial high-risk two years after surgery, and also well beyond the completion of treatment. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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  Arimidex offers women greater protection against HR+ early breast cancer returning in the 1st 2 yrs

“Anastrozole is the only aromatase inhibitor (AI) which has now been shown to prevent recurrences in women with hormone receptor positive early breast cancer both during the initial high-risk two years after surgery, and also well beyond the... (Source: Drugs.com - Clinical Trials)

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  FDA Safety Changes: Arimidex, Coreg/Coreg CR, Myozyme

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for anastrozole tablets (Arimidex), carvedilol tablets and extended-release tablets (Coreg, Coreg CR), and alglucosidase alfa injection (Myozyme). Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape PublicHealth Headlines)

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  FDA Safety Changes: Arimidex, Coreg/Coreg CR, Myozyme

The FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling for anastrozole tablets (Arimidex), carvedilol tablets and extended-release tablets (Coreg, Coreg CR), and alglucosidase alfa injection (Myozyme). Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape PublicHealth Headlines)

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  Aromatase Inhibitors

Arimidex, Aromasin, and Femara are three aromatase inhibitors given as follow-up treatment after primary treatment for estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors prevent the production of estrogen by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase. (Source: About.com Breast Cancer)

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  Risk reduction of distant metastasis in hormone-sensitive postmenopausal breast cancer.

Authors: Toi M, Yamashiro H, Tsuji W Adjuvant endocrine therapy remains the principle strategy to reduce recurrence risk in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. Studies of the natural history of breast cancer have shown that, while not reaching zero at any time point, the risk of recurrence is highest in the first 5 years following initial diagnosis and treatment. Within this initial 5 years, there is a peak of recurrence at the 2- to 3-year mark. Among the types of breast cancer recurrences observed at this early peak, distant metastasis (DM) predominates over local or contralateral relapse. DM recurrences are most strongly linked to breast-cancer-related death, and it has been suggested that adjuvant endocrine therapies that are most effective in minimizing the early peak o...

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  Combined down-regulation by aromatase inhibitor and GnRH-agonist in IVF patients with endometriomas-A pilot study.

CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged combined anastrozole and goserelin down-regulation significantly reduces endometriomal volume and serum CA125, and is compatible with IVF pregnancy and delivery. However, a high pregnancy loss was noted. PMID: 19261371 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology)

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  Women With Oestrogen Receptor Positive Early Breast Cancer Should Receive Aromatase Inhibitors Upfront - New NICE Clinical Guidelines

AstraZeneca welcomes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Early Breast Cancer (EBC) clinical guideline (1) that recommends upfront use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), such as anastrozole (Arimidex),Anastrozole (Arimdex)(2) in women who are not deemed to be low risk, which will help to ensure that postmenopausal women with oestrogen (ER) positive EBC receive the most appropriate treatment available. (Source: Cardiovascular / Cardiology News From Medical News Today)

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  Side effects of anastrozole in the experimental pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis.

Authors: Sadlonova V, Kubatka P, Kajo K, Ostatnikova D, Nosalova G, Adamicova K, Sadlonova J The aim of this study was to assess side effects of aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in the prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea - induced pre-menopausal mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats. This model mimicked situation in healthy, but from the point of view of the development of breast cancer, high-risk pre-menopausal women. <p align="justify">Aromatase inhibitor anastrozole was used as a chemopreventive agent taken by the animals in the food during the whole period of time of the experiment. Group 1 - the control group had taken food without anastrozole, the groups 2 and 3 with anastrozole in various concentrations - 0.05 mg/1 kg of food (ANA 0.05) and 0.5 mg/1 kg of fo...

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  Women With Oestrogen Receptor Positive Early Breast Cancer Should Receive Aromatase Inhibitors Upfront According To New NICE Clinical Guidelines

AstraZeneca welcomes the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Early Breast Cancer (EBC) clinical guideline (1) that recommends upfront use of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), such as anastrozole (Arimidex),Anastrozole (Arimdex)(2) in women who are not deemed to be low risk, which w (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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  Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancer

Conclusions: An important goal of any therapeutic intervention is to achieve comparable efficacy in routine clinical practice to that demonstrated in randomised clinical trials. However, a similar magnitude of adherence will be necessary in routine clinical practice to assure comparable clinical effects. Our results further support the data on suboptimal adherence of women with breast cancer on adjuvant TAM treatment. Here, we evaluated for the first time the patient reported and real-world adherence on adjuvant ANA and were able to show a similarly low adherence compared with TAM. More prospective studies are needed to increase our understanding of the underlying reasons for nonadherence in women with breast cancer. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

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  A woman's heart

Adjuvant therapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancer may contribute to the expression of underlying cardiovascular disease or expose the heart to additional toxicities. Tamoxifen remains an important component of endocrine therapy for breast cancer, although major clinical trials of the aromatase inhibitors (AIs) anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane suggest that these agents are more effective and better tolerated alternatives to tamoxifen. The AIs inhibit the conversion of androgens to estrogen in postmenopausal women; consequently, their mechanism of action differs from that of tamoxifen. Accordingly, although it has been observed that tamoxifen has some favorable effects on cardiovascular risk, such as reducing total cholesterol levels, because of its partial estrogen-agonist p...

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  Endocrine therapy combined with signal transduction inhibitors - a means to overcome resistance.

Abstract #P1-1 Signal transduction inhibitors (STIs) are being investigated in combination with endocrine therapy for breast cancer in an attempt to overcome or prevent de-novo / acquired resistance. Estrogen receptor (ER) signalling often survives despite development of acquired resistance, and even for tumors that become ER negative, receptor expression can be restored. The role of type I growth factor receptors EGFR and HER2 in bi-directional cross-talk with ER signalling has been confirmed in pre-clinical studies where various STIs can yield additive or synergistic effects when combined with endocrine agents. Activation of the PI3-K/Akt pathway has also been associated with resistance to either estrogen deprivation or tamoxifen, and inhibitors of mTOR (a downstream target of Akt) can r...

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  Aromatase inhibitors versus tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer: meta-analyses of randomized trials of monotherapy and switching strategies.

Conclusions: In 2 separate meta-analyses considering both the initial monotherapy setting and the switching setting after 2 to 3 yrs of Tam, AIs produced significantly lower BC recurrence rates compared with Tam. Additional follow-up data will provide important information on long-term survival. Meta-analyses can be helpful even in the era of relatively large clinical trials. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 12. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Tamoxifen and anastrozole as a sequencing strategy in postmenopausal women with hormone-responsive early breast cancer: updated data from the Austrian breast and colorectal cancer study group trial 8.

Conclusions: The updated analyses of ABCSG Trial 8 will provide evidence regarding 2 years' treatment with tamoxifen followed by 3 years' anastrozole in comparison to 5 years' tamoxifen for postmenopausal women with newly diagnosed hormone-sensitive EBC. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 14. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Risk of distant recurrence using oncotype DX in postmenopausal primary breast cancer patients treated with anastrozole or tamoxifen: a TransATAC study.

Conclusions: Oncotype DX RS is an independent predictor of the risk of distant recurrence in N- and N+ HR+ patients treated with anastrozole or tamoxifen. The data are not predictive of a differential benefit between anastrozole and tamoxifen.(1) Dowsett et al JCO 2008, 26, 1059. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 53. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Pharmacogenetic (CYP2D6) and gene expression profiles (HOXB13/IL17BR and molecular grade index) for prediction of adjuvant endocrine therapy benefit in the ABCSG 8 trial.

Discussion: This is the first retrospective analysis of a large Tam versus Tam to A trial to evaluate the association between 1) CYP2D6, HOXB13/IL17BR, and MGI with TAM treatment outcome and 2) the predictive benefit of these biomarkers in pts randomized to switch from Tam to AI versus Tam alone. Final results will be presented at the meeting. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 57. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Effects of letrozole and anastrozole on low ER expressing invasive breast carcinomas: results from a randomised trial.

Conclusions:1. Both anastrozole and letrozole significantly reduced proliferation in invasive cancers with low ER expression.2. There were no evident significant differences between drugs.3. These data suggest that aromatase inhibitors are of value even in low-ER expressing cancers, either on their own or perhaps as part of combined therapy.4. Analysis of more patients and of biological response according to molecular phenotype is underway. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1065. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  A randomised study comparing the effects of anastrozole (A), letrozole (L), exemestane (E) and tamoxifen (T) on coagulation.

Conclusions:No significant differences in any coagulation factors were seen between A and LE caused a significant fall in protein C and ATIII.The non-steroidal AIs caused a significant increase in vWF.T caused a significant fall in protein C and ATIII and a significant increase in protein S free.No AI significantly influenced post-tamoxifen results.These drugs have significant effects on coagulation which helps to explain their clinical effects on thrombotic and thromboembolic disease. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1132. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Health-related quality-of-life and psychological distress of postmenopausal breast cancer patients after surgery during the randomized trial, N-SAS BC 03, comparing further tamoxifen with switching to anastrozole after adjuvant tamoxifen for 1 to 4 years: the final results.

Conclusions: Further TAM treatment after adjuvant TAM for 1 to 4 years may provide postmenopausal breast cancer patients with slightly better HRQOL comparing with switching to ANA. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1136. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Managing cancer treatment-induced bone loss: 24-month results from the Study of Anastrozole with the Bisphosphonate RisedronatE (SABRE).

Conclusions: In postmenopausal women at risk for fragility fracture receiving adjuvant anastrozole for BCA, the addition of risedronate at doses established for preventing and treating osteoporosis resulted in favorable affects in BMD over 24 months. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1137. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Phase III randomized adjuvant study of tamoxifen alone versus sequential tamoxifen and anastrozole in postmenopausal women with hormone-responsive breast cancer: N-SAS BC03 study.

Conclusion. Switching from tamoxifen to anastrozole was confirmed to be associated with a lower disease recurrence rate than continuing tamoxifen in postmenopausal Japanese women with breast cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1138. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Effects of switching aromatase inhibitors on arthralgia: the ATOLL study.

Conclusion: These data suggest switching from anastrozole to letrozole may help to maintain the benefit of AI therapy in patients who complain with severe joint pain and support the reported findings of Renshaw et al that more than 50% of women obtained relief of joint pain by switching from one AI to another. Symptomatic arthralgia due to prolonged use of A reduced the usefulness of switching to L in this patient cohort, therefore, switching from one AI to the other at the onset of symptoms may help to maintain the benefit of AI therapy in patients who complain of severe joint pain. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1142. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  A randomised study of the effects of anastrozole (A), letrozole (L) and exemestane (E) on bone turnover.

Conclusions:AIs cause a significant increase in both bone breakdown and bone formation.There is no evidence to suggest E has less effects on bone turnover than A or L. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1145. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Effects of obesity on anastrozole response in a mouse model of postmenopausal breast cancer.

Conclusion: In the context of postmenopausal breast cancer, our results suggest that obese mice compared to controls are less responsive to the effects of anastrozole on tumor growth and that aromatase expression in tumors is higher in obese mice regardless of anastrozole treatment. We also found a strong correlation between Akt activation and tumor growth, irrespective of diet or hormonal treatment. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1146. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Vitreo-retinal traction and anastrozole use.

Discussion: The foveas of women who use anastrozole are subjected to a greater amount of vitreo-retinal traction than are the foveas of women not using any hormonal medication. The data from control subjects reveal the action of an additional force that pulls on the fovea from its scleral side in the opposite direction, i.e., away from the optic nerve head, which not only anchors the vitreous but which also interferes asymmetrically with intraocular stretching related to myopia. The net result of the 2 forces may be retinal shear. The low prevalence of myopia among the anastrozole users suggests that our cross-sectional study may have excluded anastrozole users with vision change. Longitudinal studies with baseline data need to be conducted. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl...

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  A randomised study comparing the effects of anastrozole and letrozole on lipid metabolism.

Conclusions:There were no significant differences between letrozole and anastrozole in their effects on lipids.Patients who had recently completed tamoxifen and commenced anastrozole or letrozole showed beneficial changes in their lipid profile compared to patients with no tamoxifen in their systems. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1152. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Cost-effectiveness of zoledronic acid plus endocrine therapy in premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer based on results of the ABCSG-12 study.

Conclusion: In premenopausal women with early stage breast cancer, adding zoledronic acid to adjuvant endocrine therapy is likely to be cost-effective use of healthcare resources from a US healthcare system perspective. Further analyses are ongoing to refine these estimates and examine sensitivity of model results to key assumptions and parameter estimates. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2112. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  The number needed to treat (NNT) as a measure of drug efficacy: the case of zoledronic acid for early hormone-responsive breast cancer in the ABCSG-12 trial.

Conclusions: The NNT is a simple and effective method to assess clinical trial results that will have relevance to daily practice. In the current comparisons, the NNT for ZOL plus endocrine therapy in ABCSG-12 was similar to the NNTs for taxanes. Therefore the addition of ZOL provides DFS and RFS benefits of magnitudes similar to those from practice-changing chemotherapies like taxanes. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 2113. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Intermittent treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer using exemestane: translational research from lab bench to bedside.

Discussion: Based on our previous studies, up-regulation of a key estrogen-responsive gene, amphiregulin (AREG), is responsible for activating EGFR and mediating resistance to EXE. Expression of genes such as AREG are decreased in the T+EXE Interm cell lines, suggesting the suppression of growth factor signaling implicated in driving resistance. In addition, we have reported that EXE acts as an aromatase destabilizer at the protein level. Unlike letrozole or anastrozole, EXE-mediated protein degradation of aromatase may play a key role in reducing estrogen levels that are responsible for driving breast cancer survival and proliferation. Since these pre-clinical studies provide an important mechanistic basis for intermittent endocrine therapy, a clinical trial to evaluate the intermittent u...

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  Molecular marker correlates of clinical outcome in a phase II study of gefitinib or placebo in combination with anastrozole in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Discussion: This clinical trial demonstrated that EGFR inhibition and estrogen deprivation with gefitinib in combination with anastrozole was associated with a marked advantage in PFS and CBR vs placebo plus anastrozole in ER+ MBC. These data suggest that EGFR inhibition in combination with anastrozole warrants further investigation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 3131. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Preliminary safety results from a multicenter phase II noncomparative two arm pilot of bevacizumab with anastrozole or fulvestrant as 1st line metastatic breast cancer therapy.

Conclusions: The combination of bevacizumab with anastrozole or fulvestrant is feasible and well tolerated with adverse events as expected, reflecting standard bevacizumab related toxicities. Bevacizumab in combination with endocrine therapy is promising with early evidence of a high rate of clinical benefit at 72%. Further follow up is warranted. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 4113. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Results of the randomized phase II trial of adjuvant anastrozole versus anastrozole plus fulvestrant in hormone-receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer patients with bone marrow micrometastasis (ABCSG trial 21).

Conclusions: As stated in a previous pooled analysis (Braun et al 2006 NEJM), the presence of BMM is not individually predictable using established histopathological criteria. Thus, to select pts for treatment because of an individually increased risk of recurrence, additional markers (e.g. BMM) need to be tested. The low frequency of BMM found in our study may have several explanations but may also support the conclusion that the risk of distant metastasis and/or disease-related death among postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive pts is lower than that reflected by the standard algorithm of decision-making with respect to endocrine breast cancer treatment. Both standard and experimental treatments appear to be effective in eliminating residual tumor cells, allowing to conclude that the t...

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  Characteristics of carpal-tunnel syndrome in the ATAC trial.

Conclusions: Although the use of anastrozole is clearly associated with a greater incidence of CTS, it is rare and most cases were of mild severity and short duration and did not lead to treatment discontinuation or surgical intervention. Thus, while CTS can be quite debilitating for the few patients who have severe symptoms, this side effect has minimal impact on the overall risk-benefit ratio for the use of anastrozole in postmenopausal women. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5085. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Progesterone receptor levels are associated with time to aromatase inhibitor treatment failure in estrogen receptor-positive advanced breast cancer.

Conclusions: Higher PgR level is significantly associated with increased TTF in ER+ patients receiving AI treatment for advanced disease, especially within the ER+PgR+ subgroup. ER+HER-2+ patients may show decreased TTF on AI treatment compared to ER+HER-2- patients. Larger prospective studies are required to confirm these data. These observations highlight the importance of PgR as a predictor of TTF even in advanced breast cancer patients.Supported by the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Foundation.[1] Anderson H. et al., J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 106 (2007) 49-54. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6051. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Cost-effectiveness of anastrozole versus tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy in early breast cancer (EBC) - a German health economic analysis.

Conclusions: In this model, five years of adjuvant anastrozole is a cost-effective treatment alternative to tamoxifen in postmenopausal women with HR+ EBC from the German health care perspective. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6109. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  A comparison of high-dose (HD, 500 mg) fulvestrant vs anastrozole (1 mg) as first-line treatments for advanced breast cancer: results from FIRST.

Discussion: Fulvestrant HD offers CB and OR rates similar to those obtained with anastrozole 1 mg, with a significantly longer TTP. Fulvestrant HD was well tolerated, with no unexpected AEs. The AE profile of fulvestrant HD appears consistent with the known toxicity profile of the AD. These results are encouraging and provide further support for the improved clinical activity anticipated with fulvestrant HD. Confirmation of these findings is awaited from an ongoing Phase III, double-blind comparison of fulvestrant HD and AD (CONFIRM). Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6126. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Results of randomized phase II trial combining Iressa(R) (gefitinib) and arimidex in women with advanced breast cancer (ABC). EORTC protocol 10021.

Conclusion: All patients will reach one year of follow up in August 2008. The database has not been unblinded yet. By the time of the conference unblinded final results will be available. A late breaking abstract will be sent in September. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6133. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Pooled cardiac safety analysis of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer receiving trastuzumab.

Discussion: This pooled analysis of pts from 6 MBC trials demonstrates that H-based treatment in MBC is associated with a low incidence of symptomatic CHF (1.6%) and LVEF declines (11-13% of pts). Although CRDs were observed with H, the majority were of limited clinical significance. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6136. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  A comparative analysis of the attitudes of doctors and patients towards adherence behaviour and information provision.

Conclusions: There are significant discrepancies between the importance Australian breast cancer specialists and breast cancer patients place on some aspects of their disease management. Specialists attitudes towards high-risk patients are more aligned than they are for low-risk patients. Conversely, these data show that a patientÂs breast cancer risk category does not correlate with the importance that patients place upon adherence behaviour and the provision of information. These data suggest that the provision of information should be extended equally to all early breast cancer patients regardless of their risk of recurrence. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6150. (Source: Cancer Research)

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  Additional Drug Improves Survival in Early Breast Cancer

Tamoxifen or anastrozole treatment of premenopausal women with endocrine-responsive early breast cancer leads to similar rates of disease-free survival, which is improved by additional treatment with zoledronic acid, according to a report in the Feb. 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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  ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Endocrine Therapy plus Zoledronic Acid in Premenopausal Breast Cancer

This large trial tested the effect of adding zoledronic acid to adjuvant endocrine treatment (goserelin plus tamoxifen or anastrozole) in premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. The results show that adding zoledronic acid to adjuvant endocrine therapy prolongs disease-free survival in these patients without adding substantially to the burden of adverse events. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

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  High-Dose Fulvestrant at Least as Good as Anastrozole in First-Line MBC

There is evidence that higher doses of fulvestrant (Faslodex) may have greater activity than the approved dose of 250 mg/mo. The FIRST trial (Fulvestrant First-Line Study) compared 500 mg vs anastrozole 1 mg/d in the fi rst-line advanced disease setting, fi nding that a dose of 500 mg/mo achieved response rates and clinical benefi t rates similar to those obtained with anastrozole 1 mg/d but gave a signifi cantly longer time to progression (abstract 6126). (Source: Cancer Network)

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  ABCSG Trial: Survival Benefit for Tamoxifen. Anastrozole

Updated results from Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group Trial 8 confirmed a survival difference for the sequencing strategy of tamoxifen followed by anastrozole (Arimidex), compared to 5 years of tamoxifen (abstract 14). Preliminary results (median follow-up 55 mo) had previously revealed a 24% reduction in recurrence in favor of the sequencing strategy, although the difference was not statistically significant. (Source: Cancer Network)

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  Optimizing the Use of Aromatase Inhibitors

EXPERT’S CORNER—Nearly threequarters of breast cancer patients have tumors that express estrogen receptors (ERs) or progesterone receptors (PRs); approximately half of these patients are postmenopausal. We look to endocrine therapy, therefore, to prevent recurrences and save lives in the majority of early breast cancer patients and to prolong survival in the advanced disease setting. We are fortunate to have several means of targeting the estrogen signaling pathway. Th e third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs)—anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin)—are increasingly being found to improve upon the efficacy we observed for decades with tamoxifen. (Source: Cancer Network)

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  Aromatase inhibitors and breast cancer.

Authors: Macedo LF, Sabnis G, Brodie A We have developed a breast cancer intratumoral aromatase model to simulate the postmenopausal breast cancer patient in order to compare the antitumor efficacy of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and antiestrogens (AEs). The AI letrozole sustained growth inhibition longer than the AE tamoxifen. Nevertheless, eventually tumors began to grow despite continued treatment. Estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) levels decreased below control levels concomitant with increased phosphorylation of ER-alpha and unaltered progesterone receptor (PgR) levels. Expression of Her-2, p-Shc, Grb-2, p-Raf, p-Mekl/2, and p-MAPK was increased in the letrozole-resistant tumors. When cells isolated from letrozole-resistant tumors (LTLTCa cells) were treated with inhibitors of the ...

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  Phase 3 trials of aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer prevention: following in the path of the selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Authors: Dunn BK, Ryan A The third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs), anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole are potential agents for preventing estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC) in high-risk postmenopausal women. No AI has yet been fully evaluated for prevention. Each AI is incorporated into the design of a phase 3 randomized BC prevention trial based on hypothesis-generating contralateral breast cancer (CLBC) data from a corresponding adjuvant trial. Arimidex, tamoxifen alone or in combination (ATAC) pitted anastrozole against tamoxifen for 5 years as "initial adjuvant" therapy, showing at 33.3 months fewer CLBCs with anastrozole versus tamoxifen (odds ratio [OR] 0.42 overall; OR 0.29 ER-positive BCs), offering the hypothesis on which IBIS-II (International Breas...

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  A comparative study of exemestane versus anastrozole in patients with postmenopausal breast cancer with visceral metastases.

Conclusion: Efficacy was similar in both treatment groups for all endpoints. Aromatase inhibitors can be considered as a treatment option in postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive visceral breast cancer metastases. PMID: 19299239 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Genitourinary Cancer)

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  Anastrozole wins out over tamoxifen for breast cancer

(Source: PharmacoEconomics and Outcomes News)

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  Anastrozole wins out over tamoxifen for breast cancer.

Page: 4 (Source: PharmacoEconomics & Outcomes News)

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  Comparing the cost of adjuvant anastrozole with the benefits of managing less patients with relapsed breast cancer

Abstract  Prescribing anastrozole instead of tamoxifen increases initial adjuvant drug costs but there is an eventual saving as fewer patients will relapse. The effect of this saving depends on an accurate understanding of the cost of breast cancer relapse. We identified 232 patients relapsing between March 2000 and 2005. Seventy-seven were randomly selected for analysis of their entire hospital and community management costs from the date of relapse until death, or the end of the evaluation period (01/01/07). The mean cost per patient was £25,186 (95% CI £13,705–£33,821). The median survival from time of relapse was 40.07 months (range 0.5–73 months) and median total cost per patient was £31,402.62. Equating this figure with the difference in relapse rate...

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  [Clinical course of multiple sclerosis in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs for cancer.]

CONCLUSIONS. Probably there are no specific cytostatics for MS. Immunosuppressive therapy could be a therapeutic option among patients with an aggressive clinical course. PMID: 19173204 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

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  [Clinical course of multiple sclerosis in patients treated with immunosuppressive drugs for cancer]

CONCLUSIONS. Probably there are no specific cytostatics for MS. Immunosuppressive therapy could be a therapeutic option among patients with an aggressive clinical course. PMID: 19173204 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

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  Successful desensitisation to Anastrozole.

Authors: Rodrigues J, Malheiro D, Botelho C, Cruz MC, Castel-Branco MG PMID: 19268063 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Allergologia et Immunopathologia)

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  Are all aromatase inhibitors alike?

This article explores the pharmacologic and clinical differences between the AIs, based on data from clinical and preclinical studies. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Optimizing Breast Cancer PatientDOI 10.1007/s10549-008-0233-9Authors Kimberly L. Blackwell, Duke University Medical Center Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology P.O. Box 3893 Durham NC 27710 USA Journal Breast Cancer Research and TreatmentOnline ISSN 1573-7217Print ISSN 0167-6806 (Source: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment)

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  Optimizing aromatase inhibitor integration into initial treatment strategies in postmenopausal women with hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer

Abstract  After local therapy, women with early breast cancer remain at risk of recurrence for an extended period. For women with hormone-receptor-positive (HR+) disease, the risk of relapse peaks in the first 2–3 years after surgery. Distant metastases, which are associated with a high risk of death from breast cancer, account for the majority of relapses, both early and late. Preventing distant metastases is therefore a primary aim of systemic adjuvant treatment. Tamoxifen was the mainstay of endocrine adjuvant treatment for HR+ disease, but despite its proven benefits, a significant proportion of patients will relapse while on tamoxifen therapy. The third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs)—letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane—have recently replaced tamoxif...

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  A paraneoplastic manifestation of metastatic breast cancer responding to endocrine therapy: a case report

Conclusion: This case is an example of breast cancer presenting with paraneoplastic manifestations. It took several months to establish the cause of symptoms in this patient thus illustrating the need for physicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for paraneoplastic syndromes in women presenting with unusual neurological symptoms with no obvious cause. It is a unique case as it illustrates how treatment with an aromatase inhibitor leading to cancer regression can result in an improvement in the paraneoplastic symptoms. (Source: World Journal of Surgical Oncology)

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  Aromatase and 5 alpha-reductase inhibition during an exogenous testosterone clamp unveils selective sex-steroid modulation of somatostatin and growth-hormone secretagogue actions in healthy older men.

Conclusion. The present outcomes suggest a tetrapartite model of GH regulation, in which systemic concentrations of Te, DHT and E2 along with AVF determine the selective actions of GH secretagogues and SS. PMID: 19088159 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism)

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  21-Gene Recurrence Score Prognostic for Risk of Distant Relapse in Patients Treated With Anastrozole or Tamoxifen on ATAC Trial

Capsule Summary - 21-gene recurrence score assay contributes significant predictive information for distant recurrence in estrogen receptor–positive patients with early breast cancer (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  21-Gene Recurrence Score Prognostic for Risk of Distant Relapse in Patients Treated With Anastrozole or Tamoxifen on ATAC Trial

Capsule Summary - 21-gene recurrence score assay contributes significant predictive information for distant recurrence in estrogen receptor–positive patients with early breast cancer (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  Addition of Gefitinib to Anastrozole Does Not Benefit Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Advanced Breast Cancer

This study closed early and yielded no evidence that the addition of gefitinib to anastrozole would provide clinical benefit in this patient population. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  SABCS: Anastrozole Shows Mixed Results in Breast Cancer

After breast cancer patients undergo surgery and receive tamoxifen, switching to anastrozole may increase the likelihood of disease-free survival but also decrease quality of life. In addition, surgical patients who receive letrozole may have a lower risk of death compared to those who receive tamoxifen, according to research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium held Dec. 10 to 14 in San Antonio, Texas. (Source: Modern Medicine)

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  Possible Efficacy Benefit With Addition of Gefitinib to Anastrozole in Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer

Capsule Summary - Trend toward improved PFS and clinical benefit with the addition of gefitinib vs placebo to anastrozole therapy in postmenopausal hormone receptor–positive MBC patients. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  High-Dose Fulvestrant Shown as Effective as Anastrozole in Patients With Previously Untreated Advanced Breast Cancer

Capsule Summary - FIRST trial shows similar efficacies with high-dose fulvestrant compared with anastrozole in patients with previously untreated advanced breast cancer. (Source: Clinical Care Options Oncology - Breast Cancer)

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  Cognitive effects of hormonal therapy in early stage breast cancer patients: a prospective study

Conclusion: These data suggest that hormonal therapies exert a subtle negative influence on cognition in breast cancer patients. Further analyses indicated that this effect was not fully accounted for by demographic factors or fatigue. Methodological limitations of the current study are addressed, along with recommendations for future studies in this area. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Source: Psycho-Oncology)

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  Zoledronic acid ameliorates the effects of endocrine therapy on bone health in women with early-stage breast cancer.

Authors: Coleman RE In this Practice Point commentary, I discuss the findings and clinical implications of the bone substudy of the phase III, open-label, randomized Austrian Breast and Colorectal Cancer Study Group trial-12 (ABCSG-12). Gnant et al. assessed changes in BMD in 404 premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer who received different adjuvant endocrine therapies, with or without concomitant bone-protective therapy (4 mg intravenous zoledronic acid twice-yearly). The authors demonstrated rapid bone loss after ovarian suppression with goserelin plus either a selective estrogen-receptor modulator (tamoxifen) or an aromatase inhibitor (anastrozole). Bone loss was particularly marked in patients who received a combination of goserelin and anastrozole; losses were only par...

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  Lack of complete cross-resistance between different aromatase inhibitors; a real finding in search for an explanation?

Authors: Lønning PE While third-generation aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane) are successfully implemented as adjuvant and first-line therapy for hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, important questions remain to be addressed. An issue of particular interest is the question about lack of complete cross-resistance between steroidal and non-steroidal compounds. Although the studies reporting this phenomenon in general contain a small number of patients, the findings across the different reports seem consistent. While several potential mechanisms have been suggested, so far we lack scientific proof what mechanisms may be responsible for this finding. Finally, we do not know whether lack of cross-resistance actually signals an improved eff...

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  Incidence of joint symptoms and bone fractures in Japanese postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with adjuvant anastrozole

Conclusion  Incidence and risk factors of joint symptoms are similar for Japanese and Caucasian patients, but the former tend to show a smaller decrease in BMD and a lower incidence of bone fractures, probably due to ethnic difference in the hormonal milieu. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original PaperDOI 10.1007/s00432-008-0518-8Authors Masatsugu Okishiro, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery 2-2-E10 Yamadaoka, Suita Osaka 565-0871 JapanTetsuya Taguchi, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery 2-2-E10 Yamadaoka, Suita Osaka 565-0871 JapanSeung Jin Kim, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Breast and Endocrine Surgery 2-2-E10 Yamadaoka, Suita Os...

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  Effects of 17[beta]-estradiol on rat urinary bladder: Gender differences in anoxia-glucopenia and reperfusion damage

To study the effect of 17[beta]-estradiol (E2) as a neuroprotective agent in male and female rat urinary bladders subjected to Anoxia-Glucopenia and Reperfusion (A/G-R) damage.Rat urinary bladders were exposed to 1 hour of A-G and 2 hours of reperfusion (R). Intrinsic nerves underwent electrical field stimulation. The effect of E2 on the contractile response and its recovery in R phase, was monitored by adding it to the bath medium, at different concentrations, 60 min before A-G, during the A-G and the first 30 min of R. Furthermore, on both genders, in vivo treatments with E2, testosterone, IC1 182,780 and anastrozole were performed.After A-G the recovery of the nerve function in female bladders were significantly higher than in male. E2 given both in vivo (increased of E2 plasma levels w...

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  Effects of 17[beta][beta]-estradiol on rat urinary bladder: Gender differences in anoxia-glucopenia and reperfusion damage

To study the effect of 17[beta]-estradiol (E2) as a neuroprotective agent in male and female rat urinary bladders subjected to Anoxia-Glucopenia and Reperfusion (A/G-R) damage.Rat urinary bladders were exposed to 1 hour of A - G and 2 hours of reperfusion (R). Intrinsic nerves underwent electrical field stimulation. The effect of E2 on the contractile response and its recovery in R phase, was monitored by adding it to the bath medium, at different concentrations, 60 min before A - G, during the A - G and the first 30 min of R. Furthermore, on both genders, in vivo treatments with E2, testosterone, IC1 182,780 and anastrozole were performed.After A - G the recovery of the nerve function in female bladders were significantly higher than in male. E2 given both in vivo (increased of E2 plasma ...

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  A lower incidence of gynecologic adverse events and interventions with anastrozole than with tamoxifen in the ATAC trial.

CONCLUSION: The lower incidence of gynecologic adverse events and interventions with anastrozole and the early occurrence of these events provide further support for using anastrozole as the initial adjuvant treatment for early hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. PMID: 19019322 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology)

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  Anastrozole: Rhabdomyosarcoma (first report) in an elderly patient?: case report

(Source: Reactions)

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  Previous hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) and anastrozole treatment appear to be major risk factors for developing joint symptoms

(Source: Inpharma)

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  Specific side effects may predict breast cancer treatment efficacy

The emergence of either vasomotor or joint symptoms is associated with a lower risk for breast cancer recurrence in patients treated with tamoxifen or anastrozole, researchers have found. (Source: MedWire News - Oncology)

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  Specific side effects may predict breast cancer treatment efficacy

The emergence of either vasomotor or joint symptoms is associated with a lower risk for breast cancer recurrence in patients treated with tamoxifen or anastrozole, researchers have found. (Source: MedWire News - Breast Cancer)

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  Anastrozole: Rhabdomyosarcoma (first report) in an elderly patient?: case report.

Page: 5 (Source: Reactions Weekly)

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  Previous hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) and anastrozole treatment appear to be major risk factors for developing joint symptoms.

Page: 21 (Source: Inpharma Weekly)

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  Previous hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) and anastrozole treatment appear to be major risk factors for developing joint symptoms

(Source: Reactions)

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