Phase II study of aromatase inhibitors in women with potentially hormone responsive recurrent/metastatic gynaecological neoplasms

There is compelling evidence to support a study of aromatase inhibitors in selected patients with potentially hormone sensitive recurrent or metastatic gynecological cancers. Hormonal therapy is an attractive option in patients with recurrent gynecological cancers where the objective of treatment is palliation and prolongation of survival rather than cure. Aromatase inhibitors are generally well tolerated and in contrast to chemotherapy can be administered for prolonged periods with relatively little cumulative toxicity. The degree of activity and response rates reported in previous studies has varied considerably. This variability almost certainly reflects the heterogeneous populations treated, which have included women with advanced chemotherapy and hormone resistant tumours and those with a poor performance status where response rates are generally low. There is a clear need to investigate the role of hormonal therapies, particularly AIs, in women with potentially hormone responsive recurrent gynaecological cancers. Studies are required to establish the response rates, clinical benefit and quality of life as well as to identify predictors of response.