title: Fluoxymesterone as third line endocrine therapy for advanced breast cancer. A phase II trial of the Piedmont Oncology Association.
abstract: The Piedmont Oncology Association conducted a Phase II trial of fluoxymesterone (Halotestin) in 28 patients who failed to respond to prior hormonal therapy with tamoxifen and a progestational agent. Of nine patients who had responded to prior endocrine therapy, one had a partial response (PR) as defined by strict criteria and remains on study at 17 + months for an 11% response rate [95% confidence interval (CI), complete response (CR) + PR, 0-48%]. None of 19 previously unresponsive patients achieved remission (95% CI, CR + PR, 0-18%). Eleven patients' performance status deteriorated during therapy. Five of them had not received prior chemotherapy, and their response to subsequent chemotherapy may have been adversely affected. Third-line hormonal therapy with fluoxymesterone can be recommended only as a temporizing measure in patients with indolent disease who have responded to prior hormonal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Schifeling
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Zekan
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Muss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005474:Fluoxymesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005474:Fluoxymesterone