Hormonal changes with anastrozole treatment in breast cancer

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e12026-e12026
Author(s):  
S. Ali ◽  
M. F. Ali ◽  
M. Mundia ◽  
A. G. Mundia
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Hot Flashes ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Hormonal Levels ◽  
Positive Breast Cancer

e12026 Background: Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs that inhibit tumor growth in hormone receptor positive breast cancer, in postmenopausal women. They inhibit the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Both clinical benefit and side effects are believed to be due to alterations in blood hormonal levels. Methods: Clinical charts of postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, receiving anastrozole 1 mg daily, were reviewed to determine the clinical side effects and blood hormonal changes during treatments, at a community oncology practice. Hormonal levels measured were serum testosterone, serum estrogens and prolactin levels. Results: There were 31 postmenopausal women age 52–73 (median 62) years, receiving anastrozole 1 mg daily. Duration of treatment was 8 to 42 (median 24) months. Clinical side effects noted were joint pains in 4 patients; mild to moderate hot flashes in 4; temporary nausea lasting for 1 week in 3; and vaginal dryness in 2 patients. Serum estrogen levels dropped by 20% in 10 patients from baseline but remained within normal range (14–103 pg/mL), there were no changes in serum testosterone (range 14–76 ng/mL) or prolactin (2.8–29 ng/ml) levels. 2 out of 4 patients with joint pains had testosterone levels in upper range, and remained unchanged during treatments. Conclusions: Anastrozole 1 mg daily is well tolerated in clinical practice, in terms of side effects and does not cause significant blood hormonal changes. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Endocrine Therapy Toxicity: Management Options

2014 ◽  
pp. e25-e30 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lynn Henry
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Endocrine Therapy ◽  
Hormone Receptor ◽  
Response To Therapy ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Research Investment ◽  
Positive Breast Cancer

Treatment with adjuvant endocrine therapy, including tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors, has resulted in notable improvements in disease-free and overall survival for patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Despite their proven benefit, however, adherence to and persistence with the medications is poor in part because of bothersome side effects that can negatively affect quality of life. Retrospective analyses have identified possible predictors of development of toxicity. Reports have also suggested that development of toxicity may be a biomarker of better response to therapy. In addition, there has been considerable research investment into the management of these side effects, which may lead to improved adherence and persistence with therapy. However, although notable advances have been made, much more remains to be done to provide patients with truly personalized therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Anastrazole treatment in breast cancer does not cause androgenic effect

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10614-10614
Author(s):  
M. Mundia ◽  
M. F. Ali
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Serum Testosterone ◽  
Serum Testosterone Level ◽  
Common Side Effect ◽  
Breast Cancers ◽  
Testosterone Levels ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Oncology Practice ◽  
Androgenic Effect

10614 Background: Aromatse Inhibitors are a class of drugs that inhibit tumor growth in hormone receptor positive breast cancers in postmenopausal women. They exert their action by inhibiting the enzyme aromatse involved in the last step in conversion of Androgens to estrogens. They are currently used extensively in both advanced and adjuvant treatments. Methods: Clinical Charts of postmenopausal women, with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, receiving the non-steroidal aromatse inhibitor, Anastrazole 1 mg daily at a community oncology practice were evaluated for androgenic effect of the drug. Review included presence of clinical Hirsutism and serum testosterone levels. Results: There were 33 women, receiving Anastrazole, 29 for adjuvant therapy, and 4 for metastatic disease. Age 51–77years (median: 63 years), Duration of Anastrazole therapy 6 months to 42 months (median: 18 months), There was no Clinical evidence of hirsutism noted. Serum testosterone levels varied from 9 ng/ml to 58 ng/ml. (Normal range: 14–76 ng/ml) in 32 women. 1 woman had a serum testosterone level of 86 ng/ml with no clinical hirsutism. The most common side effect of Anastrazole was arthralgias, seen in three women. Conclusions: Anastrozole 1 mg daily does not appear to cause any clinical androgenic effect, or elevation of serum testosterone levels. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals Association Between Age at Diagnosis and Disease-Specific Mortality Among Postmenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer

JAMA ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 307 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Willemien van de Water ◽  
Christos Markopoulos ◽  
Cornelis J. H. van de Velde ◽  
Caroline Seynaeve ◽  
Annette Hasenburg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Hormone Receptor ◽  
Age At Diagnosis ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Specific Mortality ◽  
Disease Specific Mortality ◽  
Disease Specific ◽  
Positive Breast Cancer

scholarly journals Aromatase Inhibitor-Associated Tendinopathy and Muscle Tendon Rupture: Report of Three Cases of This Exceedingly Rare Adverse Event

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Mitsimponas ◽  
Evangelia Klouva ◽  
Dimitrios Tryfonopoulos ◽  
Anastasios Grivas ◽  
Stamatina Demiri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Hormone Receptor ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Systemic Disease ◽  
Hormone Receptor Positive ◽  
Antihormonal Treatment ◽  
Antihormonal Therapy ◽  
Positive Breast Cancer

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a commonly used antihormonal therapy in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, specifically in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. AI-associated tendinopathy and muscle tendon rupture is exceedingly rare. Until now, only one case with AI-associated severe tendinopathy has been reported in the medical literature, and there are no recorded cases of AI-associated muscle tendon rapture. We report three cases of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, who experienced tendinopathy or muscle tendon rupture under antihormonal treatment with letrozole. All of the three women were in the adjuvant setting, and the treatment of tendinopathy or tendon rupture consisted of AI discontinuation, initiation of corticosteroids, or surgical treatment. Diagnosis was made via MRI. Furthermore, in our cases, there were no signs of underlying systemic disease, there was no abnormal physical activity preceding the complaints, and there was no use of other drugs beside letrozole. AIs are one of the most commonly used drugs in antihormonal therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. In every case of a female patient with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer under treatment with AIs and arthralgia, an MRI should be performed in order to exclude the presence of tendinopathy or muscle tendon rupture.

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