Evaluation of Predictive Factors Regarding the Effectivity of Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy (PreFace)
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
1969-12-31
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Aromatase inhibitors have shown a superior efficacy compared to tamoxifen in the treatment of
hormonal receptor positive breast cancer in postmenopausal patients.
Side effects like osteoporosis, bone fractures and muscle/bone pain are however more frequent
using of aromatase inhibitors compared with tamoxifen. These side effects compromise the
patients' well being in a significant way and may favour the use of Tamoxifen in clinical
practice.
Furthermore there is evidence that polymorphisms in the CYP2D6 Gene might be associated with
an improved efficacy of Tamoxifen that is equieffective to aromatase inhibitors.
Concerning the pharmacogenetics of aromatase inhibition there are known polymorphisms of the
CYP19A1 gene that are associated with altered peripheral sex hormone levels and altered
prognosis in breast cancer patients. One study could even associate a polymorphism in the
CYP19A1 gene with a prolonged time to progression in patients with metastatic breast cancer
who have been treated with letrozol.
Therefore the aim of this study is to identify biomarkers that could predict the efficacy of
an adjuvant Letrozol treatment in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.