title: 4-hydroxyandrostenedione: a new treatment for postmenopausal patients with breast cancer.
abstract: We have evaluated 4-hydroxyandrostenedione, a specific inhibitor of aromatase, as treatment for breast cancer in a phase I dose-ranging study and a phase II study of the best-tolerated dose. 168 postmenopausal patients with locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer were treated intramuscularly. 19% of patients attained a complete or partial response but 26% of those who completed at least 4 weeks treatment responded. Side-effects were least in the group receiving 250 mg every 2 weeks. 13% of patients experienced local discomfort due to the injection and 5% had other side-effects. Serum oestradiol fell to 42.4 and 26.5% of baseline at 7 days after the start of treatment with the 250 mg and 500 mg dose, respectively. We conclude that 4-hydroxyandrostenedione at 250 mg every 2 weeks is a safe and effective form of treatment for postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Coombes
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dowsett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol; C014594:formestane