Anastrozole
Anastrozole is a type of hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. It reversibly blocks the activity of an enzyme called aromatase, which the body uses to make estrogen in the ovaries and other tissues. Blocking aromatase lowers the level of estrogen in the body. This can slow or stop the growth of cancers that need estrogen to grow.
FDA label information for this drug is available at DailyMed.
Use in Cancer
Anastrozole is approved to treat:
- Breast cancer in postmenopausal women that:
- has already been treated and is early-stage, hormone receptor–positive (HR+)
- has not been treated and is locally advanced or metastatic and HR+ or hormone receptor unknown (it is not known whether it is HR+ or hormone receptor–negative)
- is advanced and has gotten worse after treatment with tamoxifen citrate
Anastrozole is also being studied in the treatment of other conditions and types of cancer.
More About Anastrozole
Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.
MedlinePlus Information on Anastrozole - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:
- warnings about this drug,
- what this drug is used for and how it is used,
- what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
- what you should know about this drug before using it,
- other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
- possible side effects.
Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.
Research Results and Related Resources
Targeted Therapy to Treat Cancer
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer
Clinical Trials Accepting Patients
Find Clinical Trials for Anastrozole - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.