LETROZOLE ROLE IN BREAST CANCER AND INFERTILITY: A REVIEW OF LITERATURE.

Abstract

Abstract

Letrozole is being considered as potential prophylactic agent for breast cancer after

discontinuation of 5-year tamoxifen therapy for steroid HR-positive breast cancer in

postmenopausal women with breast cancer letrozole effect along with RT in aromatase

expressing breast tumour cell showed efficacy as oral administration along with favourable

toxicities when taken orally. Letrozole improves disease free survival in metastatic breast cancer

Therapy with zoledonic acid is required as long-term use of aromatase inhibitior results in bone loss

Letrozole is potent competitive aromatase inhibitor, a nonsteroidal Benzhydroltriazole derivative,

highly selective. Women who had taken tamoxifen for 5 years after discontinuation have taken

letrozole and chances of recurrence were less depending upon tumour characteristics. Therapy with

letrozole lasts usually 3-4 months and has been extended up to 12 months. Aromatase inhibitors

are now a days used worldwide as adjuvant therapy, particularly letrozole significantly improves

disease free survival and time to distant recurrence In contrast to tamoxifen, letrozole cause

decrease in circulating estrogen levels. Letrozole is better considered for disease free survival in

postmenopausal women for preventing metastatic breast cancer in contrast to tamoxifen. Letrozole

for its ovulatory effect is proved to be better with many respects as compared to clomiphene citrate.

Though with some respects and in some research patterns clomiphene citrate came out to be a better

ovulation stimulator but still letrozole has fewer side effects as compared to clomiphene citrate and

more thickening of endometrial layer which is certainly a supportive factor for clinical pregnancy.

Furthermore letrozole when used with combination of FSH and GnRH for ovulation stimulation,

it decreases the dose required for fertility when either of both (FSH, GnRH) used alone. In women

undergoing IUI and IVF it also plays a supportive role by improving the endocrine environment of the

women.