Aroma Taste Inhibitors: How Do They Work?

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of medicines that work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen. This treatment is used to reduce estrogen levels in the body, which is essential for slowing or stopping the growth of certain cancers, such as hormone receptor-positive breast cancers. These inhibitors are typically used in postmenopausal women, as they cannot prevent the ovaries from producing estrogen. The three specific aromatase inhibitors that are commonly used are anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole.

Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat breast cancer

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are drugs used to lower the risk of breast cancer in some post-menopausal women. They are a type of hormone therapy that works by reducing the amount of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is an essential hormone that supports sexual and reproductive health, but high levels of estrogen may increase the risk of developing ER-positive breast cancer.

Aromatase inhibitors are used to treat hormone receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer, which often affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) aged 50 and older. ER-positive breast cancer uses estrogen in the body to help it grow, so by reducing estrogen levels, aromatase inhibitors can keep cancerous cells from growing and spreading.

Providers typically use aromatase inhibitor therapy for people with breast cancer who have gone through menopause. This is because the ovaries of women and AFAB individuals who haven't gone through menopause are still producing estrogen. The most common aromatase inhibitor drugs include anastrozole (Arimidex) and exemestane (Aromasin). These drugs are usually taken as pills once a day for about five years.

Aromatase inhibitors are a very common treatment for breast cancer, and they have been shown to be effective in preventing the recurrence of ER-positive breast cancer after surgery. Studies have found that people who take aromatase inhibitors after breast cancer surgery remain free of breast cancer for five or more years after treatment. However, aromatase inhibitors can have side effects, such as muscle and joint pain, increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, and cardiovascular disease.

They work by blocking the enzyme aromatase

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of medicines or drugs that work by blocking the enzyme aromatase. This enzyme is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen. By inhibiting or blocking this process, aromatase inhibitors help to reduce the amount of oestrogen circulating in the body. This is particularly significant in the treatment of breast cancer, as high levels of estrogen can stimulate the growth of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. In fact, approximately 80% of all breast cancers are ER-positive.

Aromatase inhibitors are commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer, specifically in postmenopausal women. This is because, during menopause, the ovaries stop producing oestrogen, and the body's main source of oestrogen shifts to peripheral tissues. By administering aromatase inhibitors, the activity of the aromatase enzyme in these peripheral tissues can be blocked, thereby reducing the amount of oestrogen available to fuel cancer growth.

It is important to note that aromatase inhibitors do not prevent the ovaries from producing oestrogen. As a result, they are not typically used to treat premenopausal women with breast cancer. In premenopausal women, lowering oestrogen levels can have counterproductive effects, as it stimulates the hypothalamus and pituitary axis to increase gonadotropin secretion, which in turn leads to increased androgen production. This heightened gonadotropin activity also increases the production of the aromatase enzyme, which would counteract the intended effect of the aromatase inhibitor.

There are three commonly used aromatase inhibitors: anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. These drugs have been shown to slow or inhibit the progression of hormone-sensitive breast cancers. However, it is important for patients to discuss potential side effects and management strategies with their healthcare providers before starting treatment with aromatase inhibitors.

They are used in postmenopausal women

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. They work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen. This helps to reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, which can stimulate the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.

In postmenopausal women, estrogen is mainly produced in peripheral tissues of the body, such as fat cells, the breast, bone, liver, and brain. The use of aromatase inhibitors to block the production of estrogen in these tissues has proven to be an effective treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Aromatase inhibitors are not typically used to treat breast cancer in premenopausal women because they cannot prevent the ovaries from producing estrogen. However, they may be used in premenopausal women if their ovarian function is suppressed by drugs.

There are three types of aromatase inhibitors commonly used: anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. These drugs have similar effects, and a specialist will recommend the most suitable option for each patient.

Aromatase inhibitors are effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence and improving overall survival rates in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Clinical trials have shown that aromatase inhibitors can reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and improve disease-free survival compared to other treatments such as tamoxifen.

However, it is important to note that aromatase inhibitors are associated with certain side effects, including an increased risk of osteoporosis, joint disorders, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and bone mineral density loss. Patients should discuss the potential benefits and risks with their healthcare providers before starting treatment with aromatase inhibitors.

They are not suitable for premenopausal women

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer. They work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen. This helps reduce the amount of estrogen available to stimulate the growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells, slowing or inhibiting the progression of these cancers.

While aromatase inhibitors are an effective treatment option for breast cancer, they are not suitable for everyone. In particular, they are not recommended for premenopausal women. This is because, in premenopausal women, most of the estrogen is produced in the ovaries, and aromatase inhibitors cannot prevent the ovaries from making estrogen. Therefore, in premenopausal women, the decrease in estrogen caused by aromatase inhibitors activates the hypothalamus and pituitary axis to increase gonadotropin secretion, which in turn stimulates the ovaries to increase androgen production. This heightened gonadotropin level also upregulates the aromatase promoter, increasing aromatase production. As a result, the total estrogen level increases, counteracting the effect of the aromatase inhibitor.

In contrast, postmenopausal women primarily produce estrogen in peripheral tissues outside the CNS, such as the breast, uterus, vagina, bone, brain, heart, and blood vessels. Aromatase inhibitors target these sites of estrogen production, making them an effective treatment option for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

It is important to note that the use of aromatase inhibitors in premenopausal women is not completely off the table. In certain circumstances, such as prior tamoxifen failure or medical contraindications to tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors can be considered for premenopausal women. However, ovarian ablation or suppression is typically required in conjunction with aromatase inhibitors to achieve the desired effect.

They can cause side effects such as muscle and joint pain

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are a class of drugs used to treat some breast cancers. They work by reducing the body's oestrogen production, as oestrogen is known to fuel the growth of breast cancer cells. While AIs have been proven effective in reducing the chance of breast cancer returning, they can also cause side effects such as muscle and joint pain.

In fact, muscle and joint pain are the most common side effects of taking AIs. Around half of the women taking these drugs experience some form of musculoskeletal pain, with the pain usually occurring in the hands, feet, ankles and knees. For most women, the pain is manageable, but for about one in five, it is severe and persistent enough that they consider switching medications or stopping treatment altogether.

N. Lynn Henry, M.D., Ph.D., breast oncology disease lead at the Rogel Cancer Center, has stated that:

> Patients tell me the pain makes them feel as though they have suddenly grown very old. Some women experience stiffness and pain when first rising in the morning, or after sitting for a period of time, and it lessens once they move around. For others, the pain is awful, sapping their energy and focus and making it hard to do even basic tasks.

Henry and her fellow researchers believe that the pain may be caused by increased inflammation in the body due to very low oestrogen levels. They are currently investigating whether taking omega-3 fatty acid pills can help women build levels of anti-inflammatory fats to fight AI-related pain.

For women experiencing pain from AIs, there are several pain-fighting strategies that can be employed. Henry advises either participating in a clinical trial or exploring non-pharmaceutical options such as exercise and acupuncture, which have been shown to help reduce AI-related pain. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen may also provide moderate pain relief, but they may not work well for this type of pain and can cause liver and kidney damage if taken too often.

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