Zoladex in advanced breast cancer

In the treatment of 53 premenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer, the LHRH analogue, Zoladex (goserelin), produced a response rate similar to that of surgical oophorectomy. Endocrinologically, Zoladex caused castrate levels of serum oestradiol and progesterone except in a small number of patients, where intermittent, suppressed peaks of oestradiol persisted. Treatment of 34 premenopausal patients with Zoladex combined with the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen (Nolvadex) produced significantly lower levels of serum oestradiol; all patients had castrate serum oestradiol levels. It is suggested that a prospective randomised study is necessary to determine any clinical advantage from such a combination.