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Cancer Drug Information

  • Posted: 10/05/2006
  • Updated: 02/02/2012

Exemestane

listen 1  (EK-seh-MEH-stayn)

This page contains brief information about exemestane and a collection of links to more information about the use of this drug, research results, and ongoing clinical trials.

US Brand Name(s): Aromasin
FDA Approved: Yes

FDA Approval for Exemestane 2

Use in Cancer

Exemestane is approved to treat:

Exemestane is used in postmenopausal women who have already been treated with tamoxifen citrate.

Exemestane is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer.

More About Exemestane

Definition from the NCI Drug Dictionary 3 - Detailed scientific definition and other names for this drug.

MedlinePlus Information on Exemestane 4 - A lay language summary of important information about this drug that may include the following:

  • warnings about this drug,
  • what this drug is used for and how it is used,
  • what you should tell your doctor before using this drug,
  • what you should know about this drug before using it,
  • other drugs that may interact with this drug, and
  • possible side effects.

Drugs are often studied to find out if they can help treat or prevent conditions other than the ones they are approved for. This patient information sheet applies only to approved uses of the drug. However, much of the information may also apply to unapproved uses that are being studied.

Targeted Cancer Therapies 5 - Information about the use of this drug to treat cancer.

Research Results

Clinical Trial Results: Exemestane Following Tamoxifen Reduces Breast Cancer Recurrences and Prolongs Survival 6 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Advanced Breast Cancer 7 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Exemestane Substantially Reduces Breast Cancer Risk 8 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trial Results: Study Confirms Risk of Bone Loss for Patients Taking Exemestane 9 - Important clinical trial results for this drug, background information, and how the trial was done.

Clinical Trials Accepting Patients

Find Clinical Trials for Exemestane 10 - Check for trials from NCI's list of cancer clinical trials now accepting patients.

Important: The drug information on this page is meant to be educational. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information may not cover all possible uses, actions, interactions, or side effects of this drug, or precautions to be taken while using it. Please see your health care professional for more information about your specific medical condition and the use of this drug.


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Glossary Terms

advanced cancer (ad-VANST KAN-ser)
Cancer that has spread to other places in the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment.
breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
early-stage breast cancer (ER-lee-stayj brest KAN-ser)
Breast cancer that has not spread beyond the breast or the axillary lymph nodes. This includes ductal carcinoma in situ and stage I, stage IIA, stage IIB, and stage IIIA breast cancers.
estrogen receptor positive (ES-truh-jin reh-SEP-ter PAH-zih-tiv)
Describes cells that have a receptor protein that binds the hormone estrogen. Cancer cells that are estrogen receptor positive may need estrogen to grow, and may stop growing or die when treated with substances that block the binding and actions of estrogen. Also called ER+.
postmenopausal (post-MEH-nuh-PAW-zul)
Having to do with the time after menopause. Menopause (“change of life”) is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods stop permanently.
tamoxifen citrate (tuh-MOK-sih-FEN SIH-trayt)
A drug used to treat certain types of breast cancer in women and men. It is also used to prevent breast cancer in women who have had ductal carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells in the ducts of the breast) and in women who are at a high risk of developing breast cancer. Tamoxifen citrate is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen in the breast. Tamoxifen citrate is a type of antiestrogen. Also called tamoxifen.

Table of Links

1http://www.cancer.gov/PublishedContent/Media/CDR/Media/705474.mp3
2http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/fda-exemestane
3http://www.cancer.gov/Templates/drugdictionary.aspx?CdrID=42297
4http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607006.html
5http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted
6http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2012/exemestane0212
7http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2011/BOLERO2_1211
8http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/summary/2011/exemestane-ASCO0611
9http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/exemestane0207
10http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=42297&idtype=1
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/alphalist
12http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/druginfo/drug-page-index
13http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/learningabout/approval-process-for-cancer-
drugs
14http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/investigational-drug-access