The correlation of estrogen and progesterone receptor levels with response to chemotherapy for advanced carcinoma of the breast
Paone, J.F.; Abeloff, M.D.; Ettinger, D.S.; Arnold, E.A.; Baker, R.R.
Surgery Gynecology and Obstetrics 152(1): 70-74
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0039-6087 PMID: 7455895 Document Number: 384810
This study attempted to define the prognostic significance of estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively) in patients with metastatic breast disease and to define the correlation between ER and PR levels and response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. 105 patients were studied. 55 received a course of hormonal therapy alone (5 mg 3 times a day of diethylstilbestrol or 10 mg 2 times a day of tamoxifen). 50 patients received combined chemotherapy (700 mg of cyclophosphamide per sq. m, 25 mg of methotrexate, and 600 mg of 5-fluorouracil with or without 50 mg of adriamycin). 23 of 33 ER+ patients in contrast with 3 of 22 ERpatients achieved an objective response to hormonal therapy. It was also found that 12 of 16 ER+ patients compared with only 6 of 34 ER- patients responded to combination chemotherapy. Simultaneous measurement of PR improved the selection of tumor response to chemotherapy, as only 4 of 30 patients with ER- and PR- tumors achieved response. The cumulative survival time, 36 months, after recurrence of carcinoma was significantly lower in ER- patients given chemotherapy. Data indicate, therefore, that patients with ER- carcinoma of the breast are resistant to standard hormonal and chemotherapeutic measures for metastatic disease and carry a poor prognosis.