Aromatase inhibitors with or without gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue in metastatic male breast cancer: a case series.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Data regarding the safety and effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) as monotherapy or combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue in male breast cancer are scarce.

METHODS:

In this retrospective chart review, cases of male breast cancer patients treated with AIs with or without a GnRH analogue were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Twenty-three men were included into this case series. Aromatase inhibitors in combination with or without a GnRH analogue were given as first-line therapy in 60.9% and as second-line therapy in 39.1% of patients, respectively. All patients had visceral metastases, whereas in five of them bone lesions coexisted. In all cases AIs were tolerated well, and no case of grade 3 and 4 adverse events was reported. A partial response was observed in 26.1% of patients and stable disease in 56.5%. Median overall survival (OS) was 39 months and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 13 months. Regarding OS and PFS, no significant effects of GnRH analogue co-administration or type of AI were noted.

CONCLUSION:

Our study shows that AIs with or without GnRH analogues may represent an effective and safe treatment option for hormone-receptor positive, pretreated, metastatic, male breast cancer patients.

• Authors: F Zagouri, T N Sergentanis, V Koutoulidis, C Sparber, G G Steger, P Dubsky, G C Zografos, T Psaltopoulou, M Gnant, M-A Dimopoulos, R Bartsch
• Journal: British journal of cancer (Br J Cancer) Vol. 108 Issue 11 Pg. 2259-63 (Jun 11 2013) ISSN: 1532-1827 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23722469 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
• Aromatase Inhibitors
• Goserelin
• Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone

Topics

• Aged
• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal (administration & dosage)
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Aromatase Inhibitors (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms, Male (drug therapy, pathology)
• Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (analogs & derivatives)
• Goserelin (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Kaplan-Meier Estimate
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Metastasis
• Retrospective Studies