Anastrozole (aromatase inhibitor) has been used:

• as a positive control in DNA fragmentation (ladder) assay
• to investigate its effects along with extra virgin olive oil and its major fatty acid component (omega-9 OA) in estrogen receptor positive mammary adenocarcinoma cells
• to study its effects on viability, cell proliferation and apoptosis in Glioblastoma multiforme model in vivo

Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor.

Anastrozole, which contains a triazole functional group, reversibly binds to the cytochrome P-450 component of aromatase. Binding interferes with the catalytic properties of aromatase, which results in inhibition of estrogen synthesis.

The aromatase enzyme converts adrenal androgens to estrogen; this enzymatic activity is the primary source of estrogen production in postmenopausal women. One treatment for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women is through inhibition of aromatase. Anastrozole is a nonsteroidal, benzyl-triazole derivative that inhibits aromatase through competitive inhibition and is used to treat estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. This compound is considered a third-generation, Type II aromatase inhibitor because it is more selective and less effective (if at all) on other steroidal hormones than first and second generation inhibitors.

This compound is featured on the Nuclear Receptors (Steroids) page of the Handbook of Receptor Classification and Signal Transduction. To browse other handbook pages, click here.

This compound was developed by AstraZeneca. To browse the list of other pharma-developed compounds and Approved Drugs/Drug Candidates, click here.