Another Adjuvant Option for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Anastrozole is superior to tamoxifen in postmenopausal ER-positive DCIS patients younger than 60.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have proven to be effective for women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, as both adjuvant and late-stage treatments, and recently they have been shown to be an option in the prevention setting. Now, investigators have conducted a randomized, double-blind, phase III trial (NASBP B-35) comparing tamoxifen with the nonsteroidal AI anastrozole as adjuvant treatment for 3104 postmenopausal women with ER-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All patients had undergone lumpectomy with clear margins followed by whole-breast irradiation.

Patients were randomized to tamoxifen (20 mg daily) or anastrozole (1 mg daily) and were stratified by age (<60 vs. ≥60 years). The primary endpoint of the study was th…

Reviewing Author

William J. Gradishar, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardLilly; AstraZeneca; Gilead

Grant/Research SupportBreast Cancer Research Foundation

Editorial BoardsClinical Breast Cancer; Oncology; Annals of Surgery; Breast Cancer Research and Treatment

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNational Comprehensive Cancer Network (Chair, Breast Cancer Panel); American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology Board)