[Recent progress in endocrine therapy of patients with breast cancer]

Endocrine therapy of breast cancer was reviewed historically, and growth or regression of the tumor in relation to estrogen level in pheripheral blood was elucidated. Discovery of anti-estrogens has brought big revolution in the therapy of breast cancer. Recent developments of GnRH analogue and inhibitor of steroidgenesis are expected to give us more useful tools for the treatment of the disease. Combinations of such hormonal drugs with different action mechanisms will be resulted in better prognosis of breast cancer patients.