Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) for premenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer

Clinical results of tamoxifen ('Nolvadex'-ICI) monotherapy in 44 premenopausal women with advanced breast cancer have been reviewed. Objective tumor regression was achieved in 12 (27%) patients and a further 10 (22%) were classified as 'stabilized'. Median duration of response was 12.7 months at the time of analysis. Greatest benefits occurred in soft tissue dominant and receptor-positive tumors, but there was no correlation between tumor response and other clinical manifestations of estrogen deprivation (e.g. menstrual disturbance, hot flushes). The benefits of conventional doses of tamoxifen do not therefore appear to be influenced by menopausal status and compare favorably to achievements reported after surgical oophorectomy.