Review Oncologic, Endocrine & Metabolic: Recent developments in aromatase inhibitors

Aromatase inhibitors are a structurally diverse family of compounds which are useful for the reduction of serum oestrogen levels. They are reported to have potential in the treatment of several disease states mediated by oestrogen such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer and more recently, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). There are currently at least ten drugs undergoing human clinical trials and an additional number of compounds in earlier development stages. Two compounds have recently been approved for the treatment of breast cancer in post menopausal women. This review covers 26 patents on both steroidal and non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors published during the period from January 1993 to March 1995.