[Treatment of endometriosis by aromatase inhibitors: efficacy and side effects].

Abstract

The recent demonstration that aromatase is expressed at higher levels in endometriosis implants than in normal endometrium has led to pilot studies using inhibitor aromatasis in patients with endometriosis. We conducted a systematic review of the literature and studied the efficacy of aromatase inhibitors on endometriosis. There were seventeen studies (case reports/series) evaluating outcomes of aromatase inhibitors. Studies suggest that aromatase inhibitors alone or co-administered with progestins, oral contraceptives or gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist could reduce pain and endometriosis. There is only one randomized controlled trial comparing aromatase inhibitor+GnRH agonist and GnRH agonist and one study with eighty patients. Side-effects profiles of aromatase inhibitor regimens are favorable; it does not appear a significant bone loss. Aromatase inhibitors seem to have a promising effect on endometriosis but randomized controlled trials are needed to prove their effects and their safety.

• Authors: A-C Racine, E Legrand, C Lefebvre-Lacoeuille, E Hoppe, L Catala, L Sentilhes, P Descamps
• Journal: Gynecologie, obstetrique & fertilite (Gynecol Obstet Fertil) Vol. 38 Issue 5 Pg. 318-23 (May 2010) ISSN: 1769-6682 [Electronic] France
• Vernacular Title: Traitement de l'endométriose par les inhibiteurs de l'aromatase : efficacité thérapeutique et conséquences osseuses.
• PMID: 20430665 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Aromatase Inhibitors
• Contraceptives, Oral
• Progestins
• Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
• Aromatase

Topics

• Aromatase (physiology)
• Aromatase Inhibitors (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Contraceptives, Oral (administration & dosage)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Endometriosis (drug therapy, etiology, physiopathology)
• Female
• Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives)
• Humans
• Osteoporosis (chemically induced)
• Pain (drug therapy)
• Progestins (administration & dosage)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic