Anastrozole alone or in combination with tamoxifen versus tamoxifen alone for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with early‐stage breast cancer

• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.11745
• Publication Date: 2003-10-24T09:10:10Z
• Keywords: Anastrozole

Abstract BACKGROUND The first analysis of the ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination) trial (median follow‐up, 33 months) demonstrated that adjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal patients with early‐stage breast cancer, anastrozole was superior to tamoxifen terms disease‐free survival (DFS), time recurrence (TTR), and incidence contralateral cancer (CLBC). In current article, results efficacy update, based on a median follow‐up period 47 months, are reported along an updated safety analysis, performed 7 months after duration treatment, 36.9 months). METHODS DFS, TTR, CLBC incidence, were assessed same patient group as trial. RESULTS DFS estimates at 4 years remained significantly more favorable (86.9% vs. 84.5%, respectively) receiving compared those (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.99; P = 0.03). benefit generated by even greater hormone receptor–positive tumors (HR, 0.82; CI, 0.70–0.96; 0.014). HR TTR also indicated significant 0.83; 0.71–0.96; 0.015), additional 0.78; 0.65–0.93; 0.007). data continued favor (odds [OR], 0.62; 0.38–1.02; 0.062), statistical significance achieved subgroup (OR, 0.56; 0.32–0.98; 0.042). confirmed findings endometrial ( 0.007), vaginal bleeding discharge < 0.001 both), cerebrovascular events 0.001), venous thromboembolic hot flashes 0.001) all occurred less frequently group, whereas musculoskeletal disorders fractures both) occur group. These profile consistent. CONCLUSIONS After period, continues show efficacy, which is most apparent clinically relevant population. Furthermore, has numerous noteworthy advantages tolerability tamoxifen. suggest benefits likely be maintained long term provide further support status valid treatment option women hormone‐sensitive cancer. Cancer 2003. © 2003 American Society.