Combination hormone therapy for metastatic breast cancer. An ECOG study of megestrol and aminoglutethimide.
This study was performed to determine the toxicity and effectiveness of megestrol acetate used with aminoglutethimide-hydrocortisone in the treatment of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Forty-five patients were treated, 29 of whom were fully eligible. Twelve of the 45 who had diabetes and/or hypertension were also analyzed. All had measurable sites of disease. The median age was 63 years, and the median time from first recurrence to on-study was 19 months. Approximately half the patients already had chemotherapy, and about 90% had hormone therapy for advanced disease. The most common side effects were skin rash, weight gain, hyperglycemia, and renal and neurologic problems. No life-threatening or lethal toxicities were reported. The overall response rate (complete or partial) among the fully eligible patients was 34% (90% confidence intervals from 20% to 51%), with a 5-month median duration of response. Patients with soft tissue, visceral, and osseous disease responded. Seventy-two percent of fully eligible patients have progressed or relapsed. The median time to failure of treatment was 6 months, and the median survival time was 15 months.
Albany Medical College, Division of Oncology, NY 12208.
J
J
Horton
M
M
Knuiman
A M
AM
Keller
H
H
Vogel
K E
KE
Gale
R G
RG
Hahn
R J
RJ
Rosenbluth
D C
DC
Tormey
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 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008535:Megestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019290:Megestrol Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy
D000616:Aminoglutethimide; D008535:Megestrol; D019290:Megestrol Acetate; D006854:Hydrocortisone