Long-term safety of aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of breast cancer.

Following promising data for metastatic breast cancer in terms of efficacy and safety profile, third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AI), anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane, underwent a full development in early setting. If recent results consistently show the superiority of these agents over tamoxifen, the therapeutic strategies of AIs in adjuvant setting are still debated. Beyond the choice of clinical strategy, the long duration of exposure to AI in adjuvant setting required a full determination of the long-term toxicity profile of these agents.

Role of anastrozole across the breast cancer continuum: from advanced to early disease and prevention.

Breast tumorigenesis is a continuum from preinvasive lesions to early breast cancer and advanced disease. In this article the data supporting the use of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole in postmenopausal women across this continuum are reviewed. In advanced disease, anastrozole has a significant survival benefit and tolerability advantage compared with megestrol acetate when used as second-line treatment.