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Updated: May 14, 2026

An In Vivo Estrogen Deficiency Mouse Model for Screening Exogenous Estrogen Treatments of Cardiovascular Dysfunction After Menopause
Published on: August 13, 2019
[Aromatases inhibitors for breast cancer in menopausal patients]
Mehdi Afrit1, Soumaya Laabidi, Khedija Meddeb
1Service de carcinologie médicale, Hôpital Abderrahman Mami, Ariana, Tunis, Tunisie.
Aims:
To analyze the litterature data concerning the results of the main international randomized trials of adjuvant Aromarase Inhibitors (AI) in adjuvant setting for early breast cancer and the impact on daily practice in the management of breast cancer.
Methods:
We selected through a litterature review 30 publications concerned the topic of AI RESULTS: They concerned the large ATAC, BIG, MA17 and IES concerning anastrozole, letrozole and exemestane . AI have been compared to tamoxifen in upfront of swich intents and showed a superiority to reduce, mortality rate, controlateral breast cancer risk, a better tolerance profile compared to tamoxifen and a sigificant benefit in term of disease-free survival. These results made a revolution in the adjuvant BC treatment, leading to the systematic use of upfront AI in menopaused patients.
Conclusion:
Adjuvant hormonotherapy in menopaused patients is now based on AI and proved its superiority to tamoxifen in term of distant, controlateral risks reduction and disease-free survival, less for overall survival.
Insights
Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are superior to tamoxifen for early breast cancer adjuvant treatment in postmenopausal women, reducing mortality and recurrence risks. AI are now standard care, improving disease-free survival.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Context:
- Early breast cancer (BC) management in postmenopausal women.
- Evaluating adjuvant treatments to improve patient outcomes.
- Comparing efficacy and safety of Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) versus tamoxifen.
Purpose:
- To review and analyze data from major international randomized trials on adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitors (AI) for early breast cancer.
- To assess the impact of AI on current clinical practice for breast cancer management.
Summary:
- A literature review of 30 publications on AI, including trials like ATAC, BIG, MA17, and IES, involving anastrozole, letrozole, and exemestane.
- AI demonstrated superiority over tamoxifen in upfront and switch settings, reducing mortality rates and contralateral breast cancer risk.
- AI offer a better tolerance profile than tamoxifen and significantly improve disease-free survival.
Impact:
- AI have revolutionized adjuvant breast cancer treatment, leading to their systematic use in postmenopausal patients.
- Current adjuvant hormonotherapy for postmenopausal women relies on AI due to proven benefits.
- AI excel in reducing distant and contralateral risks and improving disease-free survival, though overall survival benefits are less pronounced.
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