Randomized trial comparing aminoglutethimide with high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in therapy for advanced...

A total of 218 postmenopausal patients were entered in a prospective randomized trial comparing aminoglutethimide (AG) and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) as second-line hormonal therapy for advanced breast carcinoma. All responses were assessed by the criteria of the International Union Against Cancer. The response rates were 27% (29 of 106 patients) for AG and 31% (35 of 112) for MPA, but if stabilization of previously progressive disease is included, then the overall response rates were 51% (54 of 106) and 54% (61 of 112) for patients receiving AG or MPA, respectively. There was no difference in response to the two drugs at any site of disease, and the durations of response and survival were identical for the two drugs. The time to response was significantly shorter for patients treated with MPA (median, 8.7 wk) than for those treated with AG (median, 15.3 wk) (chi 2 = 9.96, 1 df, P = .0016). The percentage of patients experiencing toxic effects was equivalent in both arms, although the patterns and time courses of these effects were different.