Aromatase Inhibitors: Mechanism of Action and Uses

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of medications used mainly in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. They work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for estrogen production.
Category
Drug
Where to get
Available with prescription at pharmacies.
Applicable for
Prepared by Nick Harper, reviewed by Dr. David James Simpson

Aromatase Inhibitors FAQ


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What are aromatase inhibitors used for?

Aromatase inhibitors ( AIs) are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in men, and gynecomastia in men. They may also be used off-label to reduce estrogen conversion when supplementing testosterone exogenously. They may also be used for chemoprevention in women at high risk for breast cancer.

What is an aromatase inhibitor (AI)?

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.

Do aromatase inhibitors help with breast cancer?

(Women and people AFAB who haven’t gone through menopause typically don’t receive aromatase inhibitor therapy because their ovaries are still making estrogen.) Aromatase inhibitors also keep ER-positive breast cancer from recurring, or coming back, after breast cancer surgery.

Are aromatase inhibitors ER positive?

Approximately 80% of all breast cancers are ER positive. Aromatase inhibitors are unable to prevent the ovaries from making estrogen, which means that they are only used to treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women. There are three aromatase inhibitors: anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole.

Is anastrozole a steroidal aromatase inhibitor?

Anastrozole, a non steroidal aromatase inhibitor and a widely used drug in the treatment of breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors ( AIs) are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in men, and gynecomastia in men.

Aromatase Inhibitors References

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