Aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer assessed by ASCO Committee.(American Society of Clinical Oncology)

2002 JUN 20 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Data from recent studies on the use of aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of postmenopausal women with breast cancer has generated significant interest from the medical oncology community and has prompted organizations to evaluate current treatment regimens.

Following data presented in December at a major breast cancer conference, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) convened a blue ribbon panel to review the use of aromatase inhibitors.

Specific to the adjuvant breast cancer setting, the Committee reviewed the ATAC (Arimidex [anastrozole], tamoxifen alone or in combination) data and declined to recommend the use of aromatase inhibitors at this time because of the lack of compelling and mature data. However, Novartis is encouraged that the Committee recognizes the importance of this category, and the company is looking forward to the results of its ongoing Femara (letrozole tablets) adjuvant studies that should provide data sufficiently robust to enable the Committee to move forward with its recommendations.

Currently, the largest set of adjuvant studies evaluating aromatase inhibitors - with more than 10,000 women participating - is evaluating the use of Femara. One study compares Femara with placebo in women who have remained disease free for 5 years of tamoxifen therapy; the other study compares Femara to tamoxifen in various treatment sequences over a combined period of 5 years. Results are expected in late 2004.

Specific to the advanced breast cancer setting, data on aromatase inhibitors have been presented both at this year's ASCO meeting and at the December San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. At ASCO, data comparing the two leading aromatase inhibitors Femara and Arimidex were presented and demonstrated that 50% more women responded to Femara than Arimidex in the second-line treatment setting. This means that Femara is more likely to shrink breast cancer tumors even in patients who had progressed after ...