AstraZeneca set for Arimidex extension

AstraZeneca's trial of its aromatase inhibitor Arimidex (anastrozole)and Nolvadex (tamoxifen) in early-stage breast cancer has passed an interim review and is on track to report data later this year. The ATAC (Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) study, which involves 9,366 patients, is the first to investigate the role of Arimidex as an adjuvant therapy in the earlier stages of breast cancer.

ATAC is also the only study to date to look at the effects of combining an aromatase inhibitor with tamoxifen. In a statement, AstraZeneca noted that Arimidex is emerging as a first-line therapy for postmenopausal women with hormone-sensitive advanced breast cancer, and has efficacy and tolerability advantages which "may translate into earlier settings." Meanwhile, a second trial looking at the use of Arimidex in high-risk women without established disease, IBIS II, is now ongoing.