Study: Femara More Effective Than Arimidex in Suppressing Estrogen

Femara (Letrozole) is more effective than Arimidex (Anastrozole) in inhibiting estrogen in women with advanced breast cancer, according to researchers at Haukeland University Hospital in Norway and the Royal Marsden Hospital in the United Kingdom.

Both drugs are potent nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. Researchers developed a study that compared Femara with Arimidex in their ability to inhibit total body aromatization (the ability of the whole body to produce estrogens) and suppress plasma estrogen levels in 12 postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive, metastatic breast cancer.

Femara (2.5 mg once daily) was more effective at inhibiting total body aromatization and suppressing plasma estrogen levels compared to anastrozole (1 mg once daily), the researchers reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The differences between the two drugs was statistically significant in their ability to inhibit total body aromatization as well as the suppression of two out of three major estrogens, the researchers said.

Other Sources:Journal of Clinical Oncology