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Review
. 2017;9(4):202-209.
doi: 10.1007/s12609-017-0255-6. Epub 2017 Oct 27.

Pre - operative Endocrine Therapy

Laura M Arthur  1 , Arran K Turnbull  1 , Lucy R Khan  2 , J Michael Dixon  1
Affiliations
Review

Pre - operative Endocrine Therapy

Laura M Arthur et al. Curr Breast Cancer Rep. 2017.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Pre-operative endocrine therapy can be used to down-stage large or locally advanced breast cancers in ER+ disease. In the last four decades, it has evolved from a treatment perceived as an alternative to surgery for those too unfit to undergo surgery or chemotherapy, to the present day where it is a valuable and valid option in the treatment of postmenopausal women with ER-rich (Allred score 7-8, or > 50% staining for ER) breast cancer.

Recent findings: Emerging data from the metastatic setting is translating into neoadjuvant trials, utilising dual endocrine targeting or combinations of endocrine agents and other targeted drugs, including those acting against components of the PI3K pathway and the cell cycle. The routine use of peri-operative endocrine therapy in all ER+ tumours may help to yield important long-term prognostic information, and guide adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Summary: Pre-operative endocrine therapy is an exciting and evolving area with emerging new approaches. In this review, established evidence and emerging data on its applications are discussed.

Keywords: Aromatase inhibitor; Breast cancer; Endocrine therapy; Neoadjuvant; Pre-operative; Tamoxifen.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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