Anastrozole demonstrates clinical and biological effectiveness in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancers, irrespective of the erbB2 status.

Overexpression of erbB2 in breast tumours can predict resistance to tamoxifen therapy. We conducted a small trial to determine if erbB2 status correlates with tumour response and biochemical changes in postmenopausal women receiving neoadjuvant therapy with the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole. Twenty-four postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor (ER)-rich, large, operable breast tumours received three months of neoadjuvant anastrozole, 1 or 10 mg daily, then surgery, followed by another five years of anastrozole 1 mg daily. Response to the treatment was based on changes in clinical and ultrasound measurements of tumour volume and changes in tumour proliferation and progesterone receptor (PgR) status. After follow-up for a median duration of four years therapy, there was no apparent difference between erbB2 0/1+ and erbB2 3+ tumours in clinical response or changes in proliferation and PgR expression. In conclusion, anastrozole appears to be an effective endocrine option in this patient population, irrespective of the erbB2 status.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes