"Off-label-anwendung" von aromatasehemmern: Alternative in der reproduktionsmedizin und bei weiteren nichtsenologischen erkrankungen?

An aromatase is an enzyme of a cytochrome P450-containing multi-enzyme complex that plays a key role in the conversion of androstendione and testosterone to estrone and estradiol and that can be selectively inhibited by specific inhibitors. These kinds of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are primarily used in treatment of hormone-sensitive mammary carcinoma. However, an increasing number of reports have been published in recent years about options for"off-label" use of the inhibitors. AIs are increasingly being used in particular in reproductive medicine and in patients with endometriosis, but also for indications as diverse as childhood growth disorders and oncological diseases such as endometrial or ovarian carcinoma. These uses are to be presented in this overview and critically discussed, taking account of current studies and meta-analyses.