Role of Aromatase Inhibitors in Breast Cancer for Post Menopausal Women

Abstract

Worldwide Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed disease in women mostly in post menopausal women. Excessive exposure to estrogen and progesterone plays significant role in the etiology of breast carcinoma and biosynthesis pathway of estrogen. Aromatase or CYP19A1 is the main enzyme involved in estrogen biosynthesis. Aromatase belongs to the cytochrome P450 family and is predominantly located in the liver, adrenal gland and fatty tissues. Aromatase inhibitors have been approved as a first line endocrine therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone sensitive and metastatic breast cancer. AIs are used worldwide by many patients in the treatment of breast cancer. It is estimated by many surveys that breast cancer is the main cause of death in post menopausal women. AIs are given in combination with various drugs for the prevention of early stage breast tumor in both post menopausal and menopausal women. In search of potent aromatase inhibitor, molecular docking studies were performed in exemestane (third generation) aromatase inhibitor.