title: Letrozole combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog for metastatic male breast cancer.
abstract: The role of aromatase inhibitors combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog in metastatic male breast cancer patients remains unknown. In this retrospective study we evaluated the activity of letrozole combined with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog as a first- or second-line therapy for metastatic male breast cancer patients. 19 men entered the study. We did not observe any grade 3 or 4 adverse events. 2 patients (10.5 %) had complete response, 7 patients (36.8 %) experienced a partial response, 7 patients (36.8 %) had stable disease lasting ≥ 6 months, and 3 patients (15.8 %) had progressive disease. Overall, the disease control rate was 84.2 %. Median progression-free survival was 12.5 months (95 % CI 8.2-16.9), median overall survival was 35.8 months (95 % CI 24.4-49.2), 1- and 2-year survival rates were 89.5 and 67 %, respectively. Interestingly, 3 out of 4 patients treated with the combination following disease progression while on aromatase inhibitor monotherapy confirmed or improved the best overall response observed in the first-line setting. The combination of letrozole and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog is effective and safe in hormone-receptor positive, metastatic male breast cancer patients.
authors: Division of Medical Oncology B, "Regina Elena" National Cancer Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00154 Rome, Italy.
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Di Lauro
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Vici
authors: Pietro
authors: P
authors: Del Medico
authors: Lucio
authors: L
authors: Laudadio
authors: Silverio
authors: S
authors: Tomao
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Giannarelli
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Pizzuti
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Sergi
authors: Maddalena
authors: M
authors: Barba
authors: Marcello
authors: M
authors: Maugeri-Saccà
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004967:Estrogens; D005472:Fluorouracil; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists; D017273:Goserelin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D000077289:Letrozole; D008297:Male; D015411:Mastectomy, Modified Radical; D008727:Methotrexate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D009570:Nitriles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011374:Progesterone; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004967:Estrogens; D009570:Nitriles; D043823:Taxoids; D014230:Triazoles; D013629:Tamoxifen; D017273:Goserelin; D000077143:Docetaxel; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D015251:Epirubicin; D011374:Progesterone; D000077289:Letrozole; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate