Pilot study of the impact of letrozole vs. placebo on breast density in women completing 5 years of tamoxifen

Breast. 2007 Apr;16(2):204-10. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2006.10.007. Epub 2006 Dec 4.

Abstract

Breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer, is reduced by the anti-estrogen, tamoxifen (TAM). We examined whether aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy results in further reductions in breast density among women completing 5 years of TAM. Among a sample of women with early-onset breast cancer who were randomized to letrozole (LET)(n=56) or placebo (PLAC)(n=48) after 5 years of TAM, we examine the change in percent density at 9-15 months as well as a per-year change in PD by treatment group. There was no difference in the adjusted mean change (-1.0%, LET; -0.3%, PLAC (P=0.58)) or the percentage change (-2.7%, LET; -3.0%, PLAC (P=0.96)) in PD between treatment groups at 9-15 months. Results were similar for longitudinal change (-0.68% per year, LET; -0.12% per year, PLAC (P=0.23)). Breast density does not appear to be a clinically relevant biomarker in women who already have low PD following 5 years of TAM.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Letrozole
  • Mammography
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitriles / administration & dosage
  • Nitriles / therapeutic use*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / administration & dosage
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / therapeutic use*
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triazoles / administration & dosage
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Aromatase Inhibitors
  • Nitriles
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Triazoles
  • Tamoxifen
  • Letrozole