Chemotherapy with or without high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in oestrogen-receptor-negative advanced breast cancer. Norwegian Breast Cancer Group

Eur J Cancer. 1992;28(2-3):390-4. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(05)80060-7.

Abstract

In a randomised study 142 patients with advanced oestrogen-receptor-negative breast cancer in the tumour tissue received chemotherapy alone or chemotherapy combined with high doses (1000 mg daily) of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (HD-MPA). Of the 126 fully evaluable for response, the response rates were 46% for chemotherapy alone and 73% for chemotherapy with HD-MPA (P = 0.005). There was no significant difference with regard to duration of response. Of the 138 patients evaluable for survival and toxicity, survival was shorter in the combined treatment group; median survival of 9 versus 13 months (P less than 0.05). Considerable toxicity was seen from HD-MPA, especially weight gain and fluid retention. The present study provides evidence that in concordance with preclinical studies an interaction between chemotherapy and HD-MPA may exist in breast cancer normally resistant to hormone therapy. The side-effects from MPA were substantial, however, and the survival data are of great concern.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Medroxyprogesterone / adverse effects
  • Medroxyprogesterone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Medroxyprogesterone / therapeutic use
  • Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitomycins / administration & dosage
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Proteins / analysis*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / analysis*
  • Vincristine / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Mitomycins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Vincristine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
  • Medroxyprogesterone
  • Fluorouracil

Supplementary concepts

  • CAV protocol
  • FuMi protocol