Aromatase Inhibitors in Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence After 5 Years of Tamoxifen

In women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer who have completed therapy with tamoxifen, adjuvant therapy with an aromatase inhibitor improved disease-free survival.

Five years of adjuvant endocrine therapy with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor (AI) improves survival in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. However, after 5 years of such therapy, these women remain at long-term risk for disease relapse. Three recent reports address extended therapy in this population.

In the MA.17 trial, more than 5000 patients who had completed 5 years of tamoxifen were randomly assigned to receive either the AI letrozole or placebo. At 30 months’ median follow-up, letrozole therapy significantly increased disease-free survival (DFS). Now, Muss and colleagues have assessed the risks and benefits of letrozole in MA.17 participants stratified by age (younger than 60, 60–69, and …

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

Aromatase Inhibitors in Preventing Breast Cancer Recurrence After 5 Years of Tamoxifen

Topics

Reviewing Author