Endocrine effects of aminoglutethimide plus hydrocortisone versus effects of high dose of hydrocortisone alone in postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer.

Aminoglutethimide (Ag) has been used in different dosages with and without combined treatment with glucocorticoids for the suppression of peripheral plasma levels of steroidal hormones. In the present work we have estimated changes in peripheral steroid levels after 3 days of adrenal suppression with a 'physiological' daily dose of 40 mg hydrocortisone (H). Subsequently Ag (1000 mg daily) was added or the dose of H was doubled in order to study the efficacy of the suppression of oestradiol by these conditions during a 6-week period.

Investigations on the nutritional status of advanced breast cancer patients. The influence of long-term treatment with megestrol acetate or tamoxifen.

The nutritional status of three groups of postmenopausal women (age 41-80 yrs) with advanced breast cancer was investigated with special reference to vitamin B6. The interference of hormonal treatment was studied with respect to the progestin megestrol acetate (Group MA, n = 14) and the antiestrogen tamoxifen (Group TAM, n = 15) compared with untreated patients (Group U, n = 11). Healthy postmenopausal women served as controls (Group C, n = 16).

Sequential treatment of metastatic breast cancer with tamoxifen after megestrol acetate therapy and vice versa (a retrospective study).

The progestin megestrol acetate and the anti-estrogen tamoxifen are used as effective drugs in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and have few side effects. The sequence and indications for use in practice still need to be defined. Of 219 postmenopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer and measurable lesions, 136 were treated with megestrol acetate (MA) per os (180 mg daily) and followed by tamoxifen (TAM) (40 mg daily) in cases with progression, and 83 patients were treated with the inverse drug regimen.

Treatment of metastatic breast cancer patients with different dosages of megestrol acetate; dose relations, metabolic and endocrine effects.

Megestrol acetate (MA) is of therapeutic value in breast cancer patients. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of different dosages of MA on endocrine events potentially influenced by the drug in relation to plasma level of MA and clinical effects in patients with advanced breast cancer. Eighteen postmenopausal patients were randomly distributed over six groups to receive daily 90, 180 or 270 mg of MA (niagestin) orally in a cross-over study consisting of 3 periods of 6 weeks.