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New approaches to the endocrine prevention and treatment of breast cancer

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Abstract

All major endocrine prevention approaches act via the estrogen receptor (ER). A simple hypothesis concerning ER expression and breast cancer risk is outlined. We review breast cancer prevention trials with tamoxifen, raloxifene, aromatase inhibitors, and ovarian suppression. Current and planned endocrine prevention trials in populations of pre- and postmenopausal women at risk of breast cancer are summarized and endocrine therapy after primary surgery and for advanced disease discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CRUK Department of Medical Oncology, Christie Hospital NHS Trust, University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, UK

    Anthony Howell & Sacha J. Howell

  2. Department of Clinical Genetics, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK

    D. Gareth Evans

Authors
  1. Anthony Howell
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  2. Sacha J. Howell
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  3. D. Gareth Evans
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anthony Howell.

Additional information

This work was presented at the 18th Bristol-Myers Squibb Nagoya International Cancer Treatment Symposium, "New Strategies for Novel Anticancer Drug Development", 8–9 November 2002, Nagoya, Japan.

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Howell, A., Howell, S.J. & Evans, D.G. New approaches to the endocrine prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 52 (Suppl 1), 39–44 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-003-0645-5

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