Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Early Postmenopausal Breast Cancer

Five years of adjuvant tamoxifen treatment has been the gold standard for women with early hormone-responsive breast cancer. Results from two large phase III, adjuvant studies have indicated that the third-generation aro-matase inhibitors (AIs) letrozole and anastrozole offer greater protection against recurrence than tamoxifen in upfront substitution strategies in the first 5 years. Similarly, changeover to an AI (exemestane or anastrozole) after 2-3 years of tamoxifen has been more efficient to prevent recurrence than 5 years of tamoxifen. Most early breast cancer recurrences occur 5 or more years after surgery. Letrozole has been shown to offer greater protection against recurrence than placebo in the 5 years after a standard course of tamoxifen. The optimal adjuvant use (duration and sequencing) of AIs requires further investigation. Safety implications of treatment with these AIs for 5 years or more are closely monitored. The anticipated effects of estrogen deprivation on bone health may be treatable with bisphosphonates. Effects on the cardiovascular system, and other estrogen-sensitive systems such as the central nervous system, are currently examined. The AIs letrozole, anastrozole, and ex-emestane have recently replaced tamoxifen as the recommended adjuvant endocrine therapy, on the basis of greater efficacy and better tolerability.