Aminoglutethimide in advanced breast cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Endocrinology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women requires effective endocrine therapies.
• Aminoglutethimide is an aromatase inhibitor used in breast cancer treatment.
• Cortisone acetate is often used as supportive therapy with aminoglutethimide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of aminoglutethimide plus cortisone acetate in postmenopausal women with progressive metastatic breast cancer.
• To determine response rates, duration of response, and impact of disease site on treatment outcomes.
• To identify common side effects and biochemical changes associated with this combination therapy.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 61 postmenopausal women with progressive metastatic breast cancer.
• Treatment regimen: aminoglutethimide (250 mg 4 times daily) plus cortisone acetate (25 mg twice daily).
• Evaluation of objective remission (complete and partial), stable disease, and progressive disease in 51 evaluable patients.

Main Results:

• An objective remission rate of 43% (19 partial, 3 complete) was observed in 51 evaluable patients.
• Median duration of response was 60 weeks (range 12+ to 94+ weeks).
• Higher response rates were noted for soft tissue (50%) and bone (56%) metastases compared to visceral disease (29%).
• Common side effects included somnolence (69%), dizziness (41%), nausea (35%), and skin rash (27%).
• Biochemical changes included increased gamma-GT, alkaline phosphatase, and total cholesterol; decreased uric acid and indirect bilirubin.

Conclusions:

• Aminoglutethimide plus cortisone acetate is an active and relatively safe treatment for advanced breast cancer.
• This combination therapy can be recommended as a second-line endocrine treatment option.
• Treatment efficacy may vary based on the dominant site of metastatic disease.