ASCO's technology assessment of the use of aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant setting was last updated in 2004. ASCO's Update Committee on Aromatase Inhibitors reconvened in May 2009 to update this guideline.

BACKGROUND Aromatase inhibitors are associated with consistent improvements in disease-free survival but not in overall survival. We conducted a literature-based meta-analysis of randomized trials to examine whether the relative toxicity of aromatase inhibitors compared with tamoxifen may explain this finding. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to identify randomized controlled trials t...

Aromatase, a key steroidogenic enzyme that catalyses the conversion of androgens to estrogens, represent a target for endocrine disrupting chemicals. However, little is known about the effect of pollutants on aromatase enzymes in fish. In this study, we first optimized a rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) microsomal aromatase assay to measure the effects of 43 substances belonging to diverse c...

Aromatase, a cytochrome P450, catalyzes three consecutive hydroxylation reactions converting C19 androgens to aromatic C18 estrogenic steroids. In this study, eight human aromatase mutants (I133Y, I133W, F235L, I395F, I474Y, I474W, I474M, and I474N) were prepared to evaluate the active site and a proposed hydrophobic pocket of the enzyme that exists in an aromatase model based on the X-ray stru...

Recent studies have documented the biochemical and clinical efficacy of novel aromatase inhibitors. These drugs belong to one of two classes: non-steroidal and steroidal drugs, known to be different with respect to enzyme binding site and their effect on the aromatase enzyme. Several studies have now confirmed a lack of complete cross-resistance to drugs of the two classes. While some of these ...

BACKGROUND Aromatase inhibitors may affect lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and antioxidant balance. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred and eighty-six post-menopausal patients with breast carcinoma underwent evaluation of parameters of lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and antioxidant balance immediately before as well as 2 and 4 months after the start of therapy with aromatase inh...

BACKGROUND Tamoxifen has been the endocrine treatment of choice for patients with breast cancer. The development of selective aromatase inhibitors has offered an alternative management approach for patients in whom a hormonal approach is indicated. METHODS The authors reviewed reports in which aromatase inhibitors were compared with tamoxifen for the treatment of metastatic disease, as well a...

BACKGROUND A systematic review was undertaken to review the evidence for the use of third-generation aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane) as adjuvant therapy for post-menopausal women with early-stage, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and to develop and support recommendations for their use, with regard to three areas: aromatase inhibitors compared to tamoxifen, a...