Hormone Therapy vs Chemotherapy for Advanced Breast Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): A.R. Dixon, L. Jackson, S. Chan, J. Haybittle, R.W. Blamey
Primary Institution: City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
Hypothesis
Can second-line hormonal therapy provide similar benefits to chemotherapy in tamoxifen-resistant advanced breast cancer?
Conclusion
Second-line hormonal therapy with megesterol acetate can achieve similar disease control as mitozantrone chemotherapy in patients resistant to tamoxifen.
Supporting Evidence
- One in three patients had substantial disease control for more than 6 months.
- Seven patients (23%) showed objective response to mitozantrone compared to four (13%) receiving megesterol.
- Toxicity was considerably higher in the mitozantrone group.
Takeaway
This study looked at two treatments for breast cancer that didn't respond to an earlier drug. One treatment was a hormone pill, and the other was a type of chemotherapy. Both worked similarly well.
Methodology
Sixty postmenopausal patients were randomized to receive either megesterol acetate or mitozantrone for four courses.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and was abandoned early due to lack of significant differences between treatments.
Participant Demographics
Sixty postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who had relapsed within 6 months of tamoxifen treatment.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% confidence limits -0.095 to 0.325; 90% confidence limits -0.061 to 0.291
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