Understanding the Mechanisms of Aromatase Inhibitor Resistance

Overview

Journal Breast Cancer Res

Specialty Oncology

Date 2012 Jan 27

PMID 22277572

Citations 43

Authors

William R Miller

Alexey A Larionov

Affiliations

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Abstract

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) have a central role in the treatment of breast cancer; however, resistance is a major obstacle to optimal management. Evidence from endocrine, molecular and pathological measurements in clinical material taken before and after therapy with AIs and data from clinical trials in which AIs have been given as treatment either alone or in combination with other targeted agents suggest diverse causes for resistance. These include inherent tumour insensitivity to oestrogen, ineffective inhibition of aromatase, sources of oestrogenic hormones independent of aromatase, activation of signalling by non-endocrine pathways, enhanced cell survival and selection of hormone-insensitive cellular clones during treatment.

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