Therapeutic strategies using the aromatase inhibitor letrozole and tamoxifen in a breast cancer model

Brian J. Long, Danijela Jelovac, Venkatesh Handratta, Apinya Thiantanawat, Nicol MacPherson, Joseph Ragaz, Olga G. Goloubeva, Angela M. Brodie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

100 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The antiestrogen tamoxifen has potent activity against estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, but two nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors, letrozole and anastrozole, show considerable advantages over tamoxifen with respect to patient survival and tolerability. To determine the optimal way to use letrozole and tamoxifen, we studied their effects on a breast tumor xenograft model, MCF-7Ca, that is responsive to both antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors. Methods: Female ovariectomized BALB/c athymic nude mice carrying xenograft tumors were treated daily subcutaneously with one of the following first-line therapies for varying durations: no drug (control), tamoxifen (100 μg/day) alone, letrozole (10 μg/day) alone, both drugs at the same time, or alternating 4-week courses of each drug (beginning with a course of tamoxifen or beginning with a course of letrozole). Tumor volumes and weights were estimated using linear mixed-effects models. The time to tumor doubling was calculated, and tumor weights in the treatment groups were compared, with adjustments for multiple comparisons being made with either Tukey's or Dunnett's procedure. Second-line therapies (with tamoxifen, letrozole, or fulvestrant) were initiated when tumors doubled in size under first-line therapies. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: The times for doubling of tumor volume were as follows: control, 3-4 weeks; tamoxifen alone, 16 weeks; tamoxifen alternating with letrozole, 17-18 weeks; tamoxifen plus letrozole, 18 weeks; letrozole alternating with tamoxifen, 22 weeks; letrozole alone, 34 weeks. First-line treatment with letrozole was superior to treatment with tamoxifen alone or with the two drugs combined (at week 16, both P< .001). Alternating tamoxifen and letrozole and alternating letrozole and tamoxifen were also not as effective as letrozole alone (at week 16, P = .002 and P<.001, respectively). Tumors progressing on tamoxifen remained sensitive to second-line therapy with letrozole compared with those remaining on tamoxifen at the end of treatment (week 28, P<.001), whereas tumors progressing on letrozole were unaffected by second-line treatment with the antiestrogens tamoxifen or fulvestrant. Conclusions: First-line letrozole therapy extends time for tumor progression in this model relative to the other treatment regimens tested. However, further studies are needed to determine the most effective second-line therapy for tumors that progress on letrozole.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)456-465
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of the National Cancer Institute
Volume96
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 17 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Therapeutic strategies using the aromatase inhibitor letrozole and tamoxifen in a breast cancer model'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this