The present study identified phase I EXE metabolites in human liver microsomes (HLM) and investigated mechanisms that may alter the extent of systemic estrogen deprivation in EXE‐treated women with breast cancer, including whether functional polymorphisms in aromatase cause differential inhibition by EXE and whether EXE metabolites possess anti‐aromatase activity. This evidence concerns the gene CYP19A1 and breast cancer.