Medicament for preventing and/or treating mammary carcinoma, containing a steroidal aromatase inhibitor
A method of prophylaxis and/or treatment of mastocarcinoma (i.e., mammary carcinoma) involves the topical application of a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor locally, and not systemically, to an area of a patient in need of treatment. This local application avoids the side effects associated with systemic use of steroidal aromatase inhibitors.
1. A method for treating breast cancer comprising:
identifying a subject in need thereof;
administering topically a therapeutically effective dose of a medicament to said subject, wherein said medicament comprises a steroidal aromatase inhibitor other than an antigestagen, to thereby treat breast cancer, wherein said medicament comprises a steroidal aromatase inhibitor content of 0.0001 to 20% by weight.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said steroidal aromatase inhibitor comprises formestane (4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) and a pharmacologically active formestane derivative.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said steroidal aromatase inhibitor comprises formestane (4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) or a pharmacologically active formestane derivative.
4. The method of claim 2 or 3 wherein said formestane derivative comprises acetylated formestane.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said medicament further comprises substances for promoting skin penetration.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said medicament further comprises DMSO.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said medicament is formulated as an ointment, cream, gel, emulsion or lotion.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said medicament comprises an active compound content of 0.6 to 10% by weight.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said medicament comprises an active compound content of 1 to 5% by weight.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said medicament comprises an active compound content of 0.6 to 2% by weight.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein said steroidal aromatase inhibitor comprises formestane (4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione).
12. The method of claim 4 wherein said acetylated formestane derivative comprises 4-O-acetylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione.