Antiestrogen-induced remissions in stage IV breast cancer
Manni, A.; Trujillo, J.; Marshall, J.S.; Pearson, O.H.
Cancer Treatment Reports 60(10): 1445-1450
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0361-5960 PMID: 1021225 Document Number: 105091
Preliminary results with the use of tamoxifen in 51 27-80 year old women with Stage 4 breast cancer are presented. There were 39 patients otherwise suitable for endocrine ablative procedures and 12 who had previously had such surgery. Tamoxifen was given in doses of 20 mg orally every 12 hours. Of the 39 patients, 19 had objective remissions with a mean duration of over 11 months. 7 others had no progression of their disease for over 13 months. Of 11 patients shown to have estrogen receptors, 6 showed remissions with the antiestrogen therapy. Objective remissions were obtained in 2 premenopausal women even though menopausal cycles were not suppressed. Bilateral oophorectomy in 1 of them later induced a 2nd remission. Objective remissions were obtained in 2 women with previous complete hypophysectomy. Serum prolactin levels in 8 patients studied were not changed by tamoxifen therapy. Side effects from the drug were mild and transitory. Results obtained with tamoxifen are approaching those obtained with endocrine ablative therapy. Further studies are needed to determine if endocrine ablation can induce further significant improvement beyond that which can be obtained with antiestrogen therapy.