Abstract |
Fulvestrant is effective in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive advanced breast cancer (ABC). So far, no published data exist on fulvestrant combined with chemotherapy. We retrospectively assessed the role of combining oral metronomic cyclophosphamide and methotrexate (CM) to fulvestrant in two cohorts (A and B) of heavily pre-treated estrogen receptor-positive advanced ABC patients. From October 2006 to September 2009, 33 postmenopausal patients received fulvestrant 250 mg via i.m. injection q28 days. In A, 20 patients added metronomic cyclophosphamide (50 mg p.o. daily) and methotrexate (2.5 mg p.o. twice daily on day 1 and day 4 weekly) after disease progression, continuing fulvestrant at the same dose. In B, 13 patients started fulvestrant plus metronomic CM upfront. Thirty-two patients were evaluable for response. Clinical benefit (partial response + stable disease >24 months) for A + B was 56% (95% CI 38-74%). The addition of metronomic CM did not determine relevant toxicities. Treatment with fulvestrant plus metronomic CM was effective in advanced ABC and was minimally toxic providing long-term disease control in a high proportion of patients. The prolonged clinical benefit, often desirable in such patients, supports this regimen as an additional and useful therapeutic tool.
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Authors | Gaetano Aurilio, Elisabetta Munzone, Edoardo Botteri, Angela Sciandivasci, Laura Adamoli, Ida Minchella, Angela Esposito, Daniela Cullurà, Giuseppe Curigliano, Marco Colleoni, Aron Goldhirsch, Franco Nolè |
Journal | The breast journal
(Breast J)
Vol. 18
Issue 5
Pg. 470-4
(Sep 2012)
ISSN: 1524-4741 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 22827581
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. |
Chemical References |
- Receptors, Estrogen
- Fulvestrant
- Estradiol
- Cyclophosphamide
- Methotrexate
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Topics |
- Administration, Metronomic
- Administration, Oral
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Breast Neoplasms
(drug therapy, metabolism, mortality, pathology)
- Cohort Studies
- Cyclophosphamide
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Estradiol
(administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives)
- Female
- Fulvestrant
- Humans
- Methotrexate
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Middle Aged
- Postmenopause
- Receptors, Estrogen
(metabolism)
- Retrospective Studies
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