anastrozole

Anastrozole is a selective, non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. The growth of many breast cancers is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. In postmenopausal women, estrogens are mainly derived from the action of the aromatase enzyme which converts adrenal androgens, primarily androstenedione and testosterone, to estrone and estradiol. The suppression of estrogen biosynthesis in peripheral tissues and in the cancer tissue itself can be achieved by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme. Anastrozole is indicated* for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer, first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor unknown local advanced or metastatic cancer, and treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following tamoxifen therapy. Patients with ER-negative disease and patients who did not respond to previous tamoxifen therapy rarely respond to anastrozole.

*Please refer to full prescribing information/package insert for precise indications.