Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Exemestane is a steroidal aromatase inhibitor: it binds aromatase, the enzyme that makes oestrogen after the menopause, and permanently inactivates it. It is used for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, after surgery or tamoxifen and for advanced disease. It is sold as Aromasin, among other names.
Exemestane is broken down by CYP3A4 and by aldo-keto reductases (AKR1C3, AKR1C4) into an active form, and studies have looked at these genes for its levels. Others looked at CYP19A1, the aromatase gene, and the oestrogen receptor gene ESR1 for response and side effects such as joint pain and bone loss. The findings come from single or a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Exemestane. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP19A1 rs7176005: Level 3. Toxicity: Breast Neoplasms. 2.
rs934635: Level 3. Toxicity: Breast Neoplasms. 1.
rs16964189: Level 3. Toxicity: Breast Neoplasms. 1.
ESR1 rs9322335: Level 3. Toxicity: Breast Neoplasms. 1.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies that do not fall into the groups above.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Arimidex (Aromatase Inhibitors)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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