Aromatase inhibitors versus tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer: meta-analyses of randomized trials of monotherapy and switching strategies.
Authors: Ingle JN , Dowsett M , Cuzick J , Davies C 
Published: December 2010

Abstract #12

Background: Meta-analyses (EBCTCG, Lancet 2005; 365:2687) have established in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer (BC) that 5 yrs of adjuvant tamoxifen (Tam) substantially reduces recurrence and mortality. The aromatase inhibitors (AIs) anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole have been studied in prospective trials in postmenopausal patients (pts) in comparison with Tam either as initial monotherapy (Cohort 1) or after 2 to 3 years of Tam in a switching strategy (Cohort 2); both to a total of 5 years (yrs) of endocrine therapy.&#x2028; Methods: Outcomes data submitted to EBCTCG were used in separate meta-analyses of Cohort 1 (trials: ATAC, BIG 1-98/IBCSG 18-98) and of Cohort 2 (trials: ABCSG 8, ARNO 95, IES/BIG 2-97, ITA). The primary analysis involved pts with tumors reported to be ER positive with endpoints of BC recurrence (all, local only, contralateral BC only, distant), death with and without recurrence, any death. Subgroup analyses included progesterone receptor (PgR) status, age, tumor grade and nodal status. All p-values were 2-sided.&#x2028; Results: Highlights include: Cohort 1: 9,856 pts with 50,000 woman-years of follow-up. At 5 yrs, AI therapy was associated with an absolute 2.7% (standard error [SE] 0.7) decrease in BC recurrence (10.7% vs 13.4%, relative decrease 20% [SE 5], p=0.00004). There appeared to be greater proportional decreases in isolated local recurrence (30% [SE 10], p=0.003) and in contralateral disease (38% [SE 12], p=0.003) than in distant recurrence (12% [SE 6], p= 0.04). AIs yielded an absolute 1.0% (SE 0.5) decrease in BC mortality (5.5% vs 6.5%, relative decrease 7% [SE 7], p=0.28). Cohort 2: 9,015 pts with 33,000 woman-years of follow-up. At 6 yrs from treatment divergence (i.e., 8-9 yrs from diagnosis), AI therapy was associated with an absolute 3.5% (SE 1.1) decrease in BC recurrence (12.6% vs 16.1%, relative decrease 29% [SE 6], p&lt;0.00001). There appeared to be greater proportional reductions in isolated local recurrence (40% [SE 13], p=0.002) and in contralateral disease (35% [SE 16], p=0.03) than in distant recurrence (24% [SE 7], p= 0.001). AIs yielded an absolute 1.6% (SE 0.8) decrease in BC mortality (6.3% vs 8.0%, relative decrease 22% [SE 9], p=0.02). Subset analyses with respect to PgR status, age, tumor grade and nodal status revealed no apparent heterogeneity between the proportional reductions in recurrence and no indication of an increase or decrease in non-breast deaths with AIs in either cohort 1 or 2.&#x2028; Conclusions: In 2 separate meta-analyses considering both the initial monotherapy setting and the switching setting after 2 to 3 yrs of Tam, AIs produced significantly lower BC recurrence rates compared with Tam. Additional follow-up data will provide important information on long-term survival. Meta-analyses can be helpful even in the era of relatively large clinical trials.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 12.