title: Lower-dose vs high-dose oral estradiol therapy of hormone receptor-positive, aromatase inhibitor-resistant advanced breast cancer: a phase 2 randomized study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Estrogen deprivation therapy with aromatase inhibitors has been hypothesized to paradoxically sensitize hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer tumor cells to low-dose estradiol therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether 6 mg of estradiol (daily) is a viable therapy for postmenopausal women with advanced aromatase inhibitor-resistant hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phase 2 randomized trial of 6 mg vs 30 mg of oral estradiol used daily (April 2004-February 2008 [enrollment closed]). Eligible patients (66 randomized) had metastatic breast cancer treated with an aromatase inhibitor with progression-free survival (> or = 24 wk) or relapse (after > or = 2 y) of adjuvant aromatase inhibitor use. Patients at high risk of estradiol-related adverse events were excluded. Patients were examined after 1 and 2 weeks for clinical and laboratory toxicities and flare reactions and thereafter every 4 weeks. Tumor radiological assessment occurred every 12 weeks. At least 1 measurable lesion or 4 measurable lesions (bone-only disease) were evaluated for tumor response.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomization to receive 1 oral 2-mg generic estradiol tablet 3 times daily or five 2-mg tablets 3 times daily.
  
  
  METHODS
  Primary end point: clinical benefit rate (response plus stable disease at 24 weeks).
  
  
  RESULTS
  toxicity, progression-free survival, time to treatment failure, quality of life, and the predictive properties of the metabolic flare reaction detected by positron emission tomography/computed tomography with fluorodeoxyglucose F 18.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adverse event rate (> or = grade 3) in the 30-mg group (11/32 [34%]; 95% confidence interval [CI], 23%-47%) was higher than in the 6-mg group (4/34 [18%]; 95% CI, 5%-22%; P = .03). Clinical benefit rates were 9 of 32 (28%; 95% CI, 18%-41%) in the 30-mg group and 10 of 34 (29%; 95% CI, 19%-42%) in the 6-mg group. An estradiol-stimulated increase in fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 uptake (> or = 12% prospectively defined) was predictive of response (positive predictive value, 80%; 95% CI, 61%-92%). Seven patients with estradiol-sensitive disease were re-treated with aromatase inhibitors at estradiol progression, among which 2 had partial response and 1 had stable disease, suggesting resensitization to estrogen deprivation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In women with advanced breast cancer and acquired resistance to aromatase inhibitors, a daily dose of 6 mg of estradiol provided a similar clinical benefit rate as 30 mg, with fewer serious adverse events. The efficacy of treatment with the lower dose should be further examined in phase 3 clinical trials.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00324259.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. mellis@dom.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Farrokh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dehdashti
authors.forename: Donna B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jeffe
authors.forename: P Kelly
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Marcom
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Maura N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Dickler
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: Gini F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kommareddy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jamalabadi-Majidi
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crowder
authors.forename: Barry A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Siegel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011788:Quality of Life; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D004967:Estrogens; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D004958:Estradiol; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
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