Exemestane (Aromasin) and cancer treatment research

Around the globe, breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among women. More than two million new breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the US. The main reason behind the epidemiology of breast cancer is the estrogen hormone. In most of the women population, the estrogen hormone causes the progression and development of breast cancer through endocrinal manipulation. The most affected population among women is mainly postmenopausal women.

One of the other main types of cancer is lung cancer. Worldwide, lung cancer is the major reason for deaths in both genders. The mortality rate and prevalence of lung cancer mostly go parallel. The leading cause of lung cancer is environmental toxins and other lifestyle changes.

Mechanism of action of exemestane:

Exemestane (Aromasin) acts in the body by binding to the aromatase active sites irreversibly. As a result of this binding, the exemestane causes suppression of the synthesis of estrogen and aromatization of the whole body. Commonly, exemestane is more advised for treating cancer among postmenopausal women with estrogen-positive breast cancer.

As per the recent medical and pharmaceutical advancements, Exemestane drug therapy is one of the most recommended therapies for cancer. Sometimes, Exemestane can also be used in combination with other drugs.

Clinical Applications of Exemestane in the treatment of cancer:

Exemestane for lung cancer:

1. According to a research study, the effect of exemestane in lung cancer is antiproliferative. The highest antiproliferative activity of exemestane is evident in NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer). According to the results of the study, exemestane can have more profound effects on the cells with relatively higher levels of aromatase.
2. Following another research study, exemestane or aromatase inhibitors can, alone or in combination with other drugs, help lung cancer. This drug can aid in a significant reduction of the progression of tumors in comparison to other treatment controls.

Exemestane for breast cancer:

1. As per one research study, exemestane is an effective treatment for early and advanced-stage breast cancer among post-menopausal women. In the early breast cancer stages, a combination of exemestane and tamoxifen was successful for overall survival. On the other hand, in advanced stages, a combination of exemestane with megestrol was found to be more beneficial in comparison to tamoxifen. Moreover, exemestane is also successful as the first-line treatment of advanced-stage breast cancer among postmenopausal women.
2. According to a significant study on the effects of exemestane, this drug is effective in estrogen-positive breast cancer in combination with ovarian suppression. Moreover, this study showed that exemestane was more beneficial as compared to tamoxifen adjuvant therapy for breast cancer treatment.

Extended Adjuvant Therapy:

In some situations, exemestane is used for extended adjuvant therapy beyond the initial 5 years of hormone therapy. This may be recommended for patients at a higher risk of cancer recurrence to reduce that risk further.

Conclusion:

As per the medical literature and studies, Exemestane (Aromasin) is a potent drug for the treatment of both breast and lung cancer. For the lung cancer, Exemestane positively affects the non-small cell lung cancer. However, for breast cancer, this drug is more effective in oestrogen-positive breast cancer among postmenopausal women.

References:

• Koutras, A., Giannopoulou, E., Kritikou, I., Antonacopoulou, A., Evans, T. R., Papavassiliou, A. G., & Kalofonos, H. (2009). Antiproliferative effect of exemestane in lung cancer cells. Molecular Cancer, 8(1), 1-12.
• Márquez‐Garbán, D. C., Chen, H. W., Goodglick, L., Fishbein, M. C., & Pietras, R. J. (2009). Targeting aromatase and estrogen signalling in human non‐small cell lung cancer. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1155(1), 194-205.
• Deeks, E. D., & Scott, L. J. (2009). Exemestane: a review of its use in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Drugs, 69, 889-918.
• Pagani, O., Regan, M. M., Walley, B. A., Fleming, G. F., Colleoni, M., Láng, I., … & Francis, P. A. (2014). Adjuvant exemestane with ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(2), 107-118.
• Van de Velde, C. J., Rea, D., Seynaeve, C., Putter, H., Hasenburg, A., Vannetzel, J. M., … & Jones, S. E. (2011). Adjuvant tamoxifen and exemestane in early breast cancer (TEAM): a randomised phase 3 trial. The Lancet, 377(9762), 321-331.