Has anyone had experience with trials when Letrozole eventually stops working? I’ve been on Letrozole for the last 10 months and so far, so good. My oncologist wants to see me every 3 months as she says I’m eligible for taking part in trials. I have the impression that you still keep taking Letrozole but another drug is added to your medication.
I haven’t read about these trials on the Forum - maybe I haven’t been looking in the right place?
Hi Ponsmuir,
As you probably know, some people take letrozole after primary bc treatment, to prevent recurrence. Others have letrozole to control secondaries - as you’ve posted in this section I assume you have mets?
With bone mets, letrozole worked for me for nearly 3 years, then I had scan (CT), liver mets found 
and I went on a trial that unfortunately didn’t work either, so it was chemo next. Not heard of any trial where you continue with letrozole and another drug, but looking on CRUK’s database I notice this, a trial called RADICAL
Hi again - yes, I wouldn’t be surprised to see other trials. Unfortunately I’ve had too many treatments to be eligible for RADICAL
Just to explain about randomised clinical trials and placebos, for those with “advanced” bc anyway. These trials are (or should be!) designed so that we get a standard treatment PLUS either an experimental drug or placebo. On my first trial (SoFEA) I had Faslodex - a standard treatment - plus Arimidex or placebo. The Faslodex did nothing for me… so I guess I was in the placebo “arm” :smileyfrustrated: On my second trial (THYME) I had Taxol (paclitaxel) plus an experimental drug or placebo. Taxol didn’t work for me :smileymad: … Sounds as if I was unlucky, but I don’t believe in luck… I have had other treatments which have been effective for me - 3 years with bone mets then 4 years with bone/liver mets is not bad going.
Hello there
My sister has just started a trial called Radical and she takes a drug called AZD4547 along with Letrozole. She was diagnosed with BC 10 years ago and received Chemo followed by tamoxifin. When her BC returned she had mets in her liver and bones. The letrozole worked for about one year and then stopped hence the reason she has been put on this trial. Its early days yet but I am hopeful that it will help her. Here is some information on the trial