Anastrozole – Breast cancer – as per NICE CG81

NICE recommendations, summary of meeting discussions, links to additional supporting docs etc.

November 2006: NICE Guidance on hormonal treatments for the adjuvant treatment of early oestrogen-receptor- positive breast cancer – anastrozole recommended as  an option for primary adjuvant therapy; exemestane for adjuvant therapy following 2-3 years of adjuvant tamoxifen therapy; letrozole for primary adjuvant therapy and extended adjuvant therapy following standard tamoxifen therapy.

May 2007: The TAG agreed to support a protocol developed by the NNUH Oncologists and Breast Surgeons regarding drug management of oestrogen-receptor-positive early breast cancer in post menopausal women. Regarding anastrozole, advice is as follows:

High risk patients (1-3 Node Positive, High Grade or ≥4 Node Positive Any Grade) – Anastrozole for 5 years.

NB: Other factors may influence risk to patient (e.g. tumour size). Bone health management as per current approved osteoporosis prophylaxis policy should be considered for aromatase inhibitors.

March 2009: The TAG acknowledged NICE Clinical Guideline 80 – Early and locally advanced breast cancer (Feb 2009), which details the place of the aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, exemestane, letrozole) in adjuvant endocrine therapy for different patient groups.

July 2013: NICE CG 164 (June 2013)

(p34 Section 1.7 Treatment strategies) noted by the TAG.

September 2014: The TAG noted NICE CG 81 (Update July 2014) – Advanced breast cancer: Diagnosis and treatment