Aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer: pharmacoeconomic considerations

Although the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen is recognised as the treatment of choice for both premenopausal and postmenopausal women with advanced hormone-dependent breast cancer, oestrogen deprivation can also be achieved, with apparently less adverse-effects, through selective inhibition of aromatase. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of the new generation of aromatase inhibitors as second-line and first-line therapy in postmenopausal women with breast cancers who were eligible for endocrine treatment. Speculating that administration of aromatase inhibitors will not be limited to postmenopausal breast cancer, a pharmacoeconomic perspective is considered based on available data and putative therapeutic application during various phases of the disease.