Aromatase Inhibitors DrugBank Online

Anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole are equally effective and have similar side effects [90, ]. The most common side effects of AIs are symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. Aromatase inhibitors can interact with certain medications. Some interactions may decrease the concentration of the aromatase inhibitor in the blood and require a dose adjustment to compensate for the effect. These losses can lead to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the collapse of spinal vertebras, stooped posture, a loss of height, and an increased risk of bone fractures. A breast cancer diagnosis after menopause can be overwhelming.

• Your doctor checks your cancer cells for these receptors when you are diagnosed.
• By doing so, the production of estrogen may be reduced by as much as 95% in postmenopausal women.
• Aromatase inhibitor treatment is started after primary treatment is complete.
• There is growing evidence that aromatase may benefit more than just postmenopausal women.

Medicines that stop the body from making estrogen

For example, they might be a reasonable option for women who have an increased risk of blood clots and therefore should not take tamoxifen or raloxifene. Clinical trials have shown that two aromatase inhibitors – anastrozole and exemestane – can lower breast cancer risk in women who have never been diagnosed with the disease. However, these drugs have not yet received FDA approval for this use. A breast cancer that’s sensitive to estrogen is called estrogen receptor positive, also called ER positive.

How do aromatase inhibitors work?

An enzyme called aromatase takes other hormones and converts them into estrogen. One goal of aromatase inhibitor treatment is to lower estrogen levels. Elevated estrogen levels are common in men that take testosterone and those who are overweight. Consequently, men with high estrogen may experience numerous symptoms, one of which is gynecomastia, aka “man boobs.”

Susan G. Komen® created the Komen Financial Assistance Program to help those struggling with the costs of breast cancer treatment by providing financial assistance to eligible individuals. Aromatase inhibitors are pills, so they’re covered under your health insurance plan’s prescription drug benefit rather Finasteride costs than the plan’s medical benefit. This means there are usually out-of-pocket costs, which can add up over time. Although the exact treatment for breast cancer varies from person to person, evidence-based guidelines help make sure high-quality care is given. These guidelines are based on the latest research and agreement among experts. Learn more about the importance of following your breast cancer treatment plan.

They are called oestrogen receptor positive or ER positive (ER+) breast cancer. Around 80 out of every 100 breast cancers (around 80%) are oestrogen receptor positive. Aromatase inhibitors also keep ER-positive breast cancer from recurring, or coming back, after breast cancer surgery. If you have an increased risk of developing ER-positive breast cancer, taking an aromatase inhibitor may reduce your risk.

If you’re receiving chemotherapy, you might stop having periods. That’s not unusual — but it does not mean your ovaries are not functioning or that you’re menopausal. Aromatase inhibitors bind to aromatase and stop the process of conversion to estrogen. This keeps estrogen levels down and helps prevent cancer cells from getting the estrogen they can use to grow and spread.

In contrast to premenopausal women, in whom most of the estrogen is produced in the ovaries, in postmenopausal women estrogen is mainly produced in peripheral tissues of the body. The heightened gonadotropin levels also upregulate the aromatase promoter, increasing aromatase production in the setting of increased androgen substrate. This would counteract the effect of the aromatase inhibitor in premenopausal women, as total estrogen would increase. Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drug used to prevent cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. These medications also are prescribed for premenopausal women in combination with ovarian suppression therapy and for men with breast cancer who are unable to take tamoxifen. For women with breast cancer, there is growing evidence aromatase inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen, the drug traditionally used to prevent breast cancer recurrence.

A recent study found that one of these proteins, ZNF131, is a negative regulator of estrogen receptor signaling [4]. If your hormone levels meet the criteria for a diagnosis such as hypogonadism, they can also advise on treatment options. These can range from changing lifestyle factors (such as sleep and diet) to medications. Estrogen-blocking medications have been prescribed for off-label use in those with low testosterone for some time and are often well-tolerated.

You may have it if tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors are no longer controlling your cancer. An aromatase inhibitor (AI) is a type of hormone therapy for cancer. Healthcare providers use aromatase inhibitors to treat a common breast cancer type. This therapy reduces your risk that breast cancer will come back after surgery. If you’re at an increased risk of a specific breast cancer, taking an aromatase inhibitor may reduce that risk.