What do aromatase inhibitors primarily block?

Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs that specifically block the action of the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for the conversion of androgens into estrogens. This mechanism is particularly significant in the context of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, as lowering estrogen levels can help slow down or stop the growth of certain types of breast tumors that rely on estrogen for proliferation.

Inhibition of the aromatase enzyme decreases the overall estrogen production in the body, which is crucial since many breast cancers are driven by the presence of estrogens. This therapeutic approach effectively reduces estrogen levels and has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with hormone-sensitive breast cancer.

Other options describe processes that are not the primary action of aromatase inhibitors. For instance, while production of androgens in the adrenal glands and hormone receptor interactions are part of the endocrine system, they are not directly affected by aromatase inhibitors. Similarly, the conversion of "aromatase into progesterone" is a misrepresentation, as aromatase specifically converts androgens to estrogens, not to progesterone.