Safety of Tamoxifen vs. an Aromatase Inhibitor as Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

An international randomized trial shows differing safety profiles for tamoxifen and exemestane.

Recently updated guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology recommend that adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer include an aromatase inhibitor (AI; JW Womens Health Feb 3 2011). In the manufacturer-sponsored Tamoxifen Exemestane Multinational (TEAM) trial of the AI exemestane (Aromasin), investigators randomized almost 10,000 menopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer to receive exemestane alone or sequentially after 2.5 to 3 years of tamoxifen. Now, the authors report results at mean follow-up of 5.1 years.

Five-year disease-free survival was almost identical in both treatment arms (about 85.5% overall), but safety profiles of the exemestane-only versus sequ…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Safety of Tamoxifen vs. an Aromatase Inhibitor as Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

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Reviewing Author