Measurement of aromatisation by a urine technique suitable for the evaluation of aromatase inhibitors in vivo.

By modification of a recently developed method for separation of radio-labelled urinary oestrogens we were able to separate oestrogen metabolites and measure their isotope ratios in urine following injections of [3H]delta 4-androstenedione and [14C]oestrone. This method provides a useful tool for studying in vivo aromatisation of delta 4-androstenedione into oestrone in breast cancer patients before and during treatment with aromatase inhibitors.