Anastrozole and Tamoxifen Combination

The combination of anastrozole and tamoxifen was studied as a potential treatment approach for breast cancer, notably in the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial. Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that reduces estrogen production, while tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that blocks estrogen from binding to receptors in breast cancer cells. Despite their different mechanisms, the ATAC trial found that concurrent combination therapy did not provide better outcomes than tamoxifen alone, and this treatment arm was subsequently discontinued. At a median follow-up of 33 months, the combination therapy showed no improvement in disease-free survival compared to tamoxifen monotherapy. The long-term follow-up further confirmed that anastrozole alone was superior to tamoxifen alone, but the combination did not add benefit.

Brand names

Nolvadex

Other names

Arimidex + Nolvadexanastrozole + tamoxifenArimidex and Tamoxifen Alone or in Combination