The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7190 p385-391
23 March 2002

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Letrozole better tolerated than anastrozole in advanced cancer

Letrozole (Femara) is better tolerated than anastrozole (Arimidex) by patients with advanced breast cancer, a study shows.

Dr Robert Thomas, consultant oncologist, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, and colleagues assessed quality of life associated with letrozole and anastrozole in 72 patients in a cross-over study. All patients received each drug for four weeks with a six-day washout period. At the end of the trial, 68 per cent of patients chose to continue treatment with letrozole compared with 32 per cent on anastrozole because they felt better overall and experienced less nausea, fewer hot flushes and less abdominal discomfort with letrozole. Other adverse effects, including lethargy, headache, joint pains and poor appetite occurred less with letrozole.

The study was funded by Novartis.The results were presented at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona on 20 March.