title: A multicentre trial to compare a loading dose regimen of tamoxifen ('Nolvadex') with conventional dosing in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. The British Tamoxifen Study Group.
abstract: In this open randomized trial 193 eligible patients with advanced breast cancer were randomized to either a conventional schedule of tamoxifen (40 mg/day) or a loading dose schedule (160 mg for two days followed by 40 mg/day). Response was assessed every three weeks for the first three months and at three-monthly intervals thereafter. The loading dose regimen did not confer any benefit to the patients in terms of time taken to obtain a clinical response, rate and duration of response and subsequent survival even though steady-state plasma levels are achieved at least two weeks earlier with a loading dose regimen.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spooner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fairlamb
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fermont
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D013629:Tamoxifen