Letrozole vs. Tamoxifen as Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

Results from several studies indicate that aromatase inhibitors (letrozole, anastrozole, exemestane) have a role as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. Indeed, in late 2004, a panel from the American Society of Clinical Oncology concluded that “optimal adjuvant hormonal therapy for a postmenopausal woman with receptor-positive breast cancer includes an aromatase inhibitor as initial therapy or after treatment with tamoxifen” (J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:619).

This industry-sponsored, double-blind, randomized trial included 8010 postmenopausal women with surgically resected hormone-receptor–positive breast cancer (41% with positive nodes) and no evidence of distant metastases. Patients received letrozole (Femara) or tamoxifen, given daily; 25% of p…