Howell Anthony, Howell Sacha J, Evans D Gareth
CRUK Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, M20 4BX, Manchester, UK.
Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2003 Jul;52 Suppl 1:S39-44. doi: 10.1007/s00280-003-0645-5. Epub 2003 Jun 18.
All major endocrine prevention approaches act via the estrogen receptor (ER). A simple hypothesis concerning ER expression and breast cancer risk is outlined. We review breast cancer prevention trials with tamoxifen, raloxifene, aromatase inhibitors, and ovarian suppression. Current and planned endocrine prevention trials in populations of pre- and postmenopausal women at risk of breast cancer are summarized and endocrine therapy after primary surgery and for advanced disease discussed.