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Long-term side effects of AIs?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Magri: Is there any news on the long-term side effects of the aromatase inhibitors?
Answer —Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P.: The data that is available and that was reviewed at ASCO looked at potential toxicities from two of the trials using letrozole, although there is data from presentations looking at the other aromatase inhibitors. Data from the BIG 1-98 trial suggested slightly greater cardiovascular risks with letrozole over tamoxifen, but significantly less clotting risk. The ideal situation is to try to identify patients based on risk/benefit analysis. We also know that all of the aromatase inhibitors cause some degree of arthritic complaints and have a negative effect on bones, increasing risk of osteoporosis. Despite this, these drugs are very effective for the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive early stage breast cancer, and have some features that make them much more desirable than tamoxifen in the same population.

On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the 2008 ASCO Annual Meeting. Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. and moderator Nicholas Robert, M.D. answered your questions about the latest news on breast cancer screening, treatment, and side effects reported at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Generosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.PGenerosa Grana, M.D., F.A.C.P. is the director of the Cooper Cancer Institute and heads the division of hematology/medical oncology at Cooper University Hospital.

Nicholas Robert, M.D.Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center. 

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