Aromatase is an enzyme expressed in tissues such as muscle and fat in postmenopausal women. These non-ovarian tissues become the dominant sources of estrogen in postmenopausal women. Breast cancer cells are often very dependent on estrogens to continue to grow. Atamestane blocks the formation of estrogens from androgenic precursors in the body via the aromatase enzyme. Toremifene blocks circulating and intracellular estrogens from stimulating estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The goal of therapy with atamestane, an aromatase inhibitor, in combination with the estrogen receptor antagonist, toremifene, is to achieve complete suppression of estrogen stimulation of breast cancer cells. This study is designed to determine whether combined hormonal therapy will lengthen the time to disease progression and the survival time for subjects with advanced breast cancer.
