Dr. Peter Ravdin, who also was not involved in BIG 1-98, commented that the new results have “dulled the enthusiasm” for sequential therapy. A key remaining question about adjuvant hormonal therapy is whether it's worthwhile to extend it beyond the now-standard 5 years to reduce late recurrences. That issue should be settled by ongoing trials in a few more years, added Dr. Ravdin of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston.
Dr. Mouridsen disclosed that he has received lecture fees from and is on the advisory board for Novartis, which financed BIG 1-98.
'I take that as fairly strong evidence that in fact letrozole improves on overall survival.' DR. COATES