Cyclic sequential endocrine therapy for advanced breast cancer using a combination of tamoxifen and megestrol acetate.
A cyclical, sequential combination of tamoxifen and megestrol acetate (group B) was compared with conventional therapy (tamoxifen alone, group A) in 261 breast cancer patients. There was no statistically significant difference between groups for overall response rate (complete+partial response: group A, 35.8%, group B, 40.8%; p = 0.505) or for median response duration in responders (group A, 128 weeks, group B, 136 weeks; p = 0.488). Median survival from randomization was longer in those patients receiving sequential therapy (group A, 90 weeks, group B, 134 weeks) with a significantly lower relative death rate (group B/group A = 0.67; p = 0.011). This survival benefit appears to be due to a delay in progression among nonresponders in the sequential therapy group.
Department of Surgery, Western Infirmary, Scotland.
D J
DJ
Crawford
W D
WD
George
D C
DC
Smith
M
M
Stewart
J
J
Paul
R E
RE
Leake
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008535:Megestrol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019290:Megestrol Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D015996:Survival Rate; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013629:Tamoxifen; D008535:Megestrol; D019290:Megestrol Acetate