Low-dose aminoglutethimide plus steroid replacement in advanced breast cancer patients resistant to conventional therapies.
In an attempt to define the activity and toxicity of low-dose aminoglutethimide plus steroid replacement in advanced breast cancer, we treated 40 patients with aminoglutethimide 500 mg/day + hydrocortisone 50 mg/day. Previous treatment consisted of additive hormones in 29 patients, oophorectomy in 8, and chemotherapy in 32. Among the 37 patients evaluable for response and toxicity, 5 objective responses (16.2%) and 20 stable diseases (54%) were noted. Toxicity, absent in 23 patients (62.1%) and mild in 14, consisted mainly of Grade I (WHO) nausea, drowsiness, cutaneous rash, and dizziness. Responders and patients with stable disease experienced a similar survival (median not reached at 22 months). Aminoglutethimide at low doses appears to be beneficial in patients refractory to conventional therapies even if the objective response rate is low.
Crivellari
D
D
Division of Medical Oncology, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Aviano, Italy.
Galligioni
E
E
Frustaci
S
S
Gasparini
G
G
Vaccher
E
E
Lo Re
G
G
Talamini
R
R
Monfardini
S
S
Ambroso
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000616:Aminoglutethimide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D010052:Ovariectomy
D000616:Aminoglutethimide; D006854:Hydrocortisone