[Clinical study of anastrozole in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect and adverse reactions of anastrozole in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.


METHODS
A multicenter, open, non-randomized and crossover clinical trial on the effect of anastrozole was conducted. Sixty-one postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer were treated by oral anastrozole, 1 mg once every day. Each patient received 4-6 weeks of treatment. Plasma estradiol concentrations were determined 2 weeks before treatment and within 3 days after treatment discontinued. Effect and adverse reaction were evaluated.


RESULTS
The response rate in 60 evaluable cases treated with anastrozole was 21.7% (CR = 0, PR = 13, MR = 2). The effect was correlated with postmenopausal time, previous endocrine therapy and ER status. Plasma level of estradiol was suppressed by 58.3%. The main adverse reactions, including nausea, fatigue, facial flush, were generally tolerable.


CONCLUSIONS
As an aromatase inhibitor capable of decreasing plasma estradiol level, anastrozole is therapeutically effective for advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Side effects are mild and tolerable.
Feng
F
F
Cancer Institute (Hospital), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021.
Xu
B
B
Jiang
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000077384:Anastrozole; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009570:Nitriles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017698:Postmenopause; D014230:Triazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D009570:Nitriles; D014230:Triazoles; D000077384:Anastrozole