"Inhibition
of placental aromatase by the inhibitors
exemestane and letrozole"
Sunmeet
Sawhney, Departments of Biology and Computer Science,
UMBC, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250
Angela Brodie, Ph.D., Department of Pharmacology and Exp. Ther. and Division
of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Physiology,
University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
Estrogens have been implicated in promoting the growth of breast cancer
cells.
Depriving breast cancer cells of estrogen may, therefore, reduce tumor
progression. Lowering estrogen levels can be achieved using anti-estrogens
to block or inhibit aromatase, the enzyme that controls the synthesis
of estrogens by mediating the conversion of androstenedione and testosterone
to estrone and estradiol.
This study determines whether steroidal or nonsteroidal agents are better
at lowering estrogen levels by inhibiting aromatase. The two drugs used
in the experiment were Exemestane (steroidal) and Letrozole (nonsteroidal).
After completing a series of tests, Letrozole was more effective in inhibiting
the aromatase enzyme, even when used in lower concentrations. Future experiments
will determine whether a mixture of steroidal and nonsteroidal inhibitors
will lower estrogen levels more than Letrozole alone.
