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Query: UMLS:C0006142 (breast cancer)
 160,383 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The efficacy and side-effects of megestrol acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate in postmenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer were compared in a prospectively randomized study. The dosage of MA was 2 X 80 mg p.o. or MPA 2 X 500 mg p.o. daily, given as a secondary hormonal treatment, mostly after previous treatment with tamoxifen. Ninety-eight patients entered the study and 92 were evaluable for effect, 48 patients on MA and 44 on MPA. Age, main tumor site and prior treatment were not different, but there was a preponderance of ER-negative tumors in the MA group. Responses appeared to be more frequent in the MPA-treated group (25% vs. 43%), predominantly in bone lesions, 12% for MA and 45% for MPA. Median progression-free survival was comparable, 15 vs. 10 months, and overall survival was not different (20 vs. 16 months). Toxicity was frequent, occurring in 83% vs. 74% of patients: increased appetite, nausea and dizziness in more than 20%, and a preponderance of pyrosis and breathlessness on MA and hot flashes, sweating and tremors on MPA. Cushingoid symptoms were present in about a quarter of the patients treated for more than 3 months. The occurrence of thrombo-embolic episodes and cardiovascular events was evenly distributed. Patients on MPA had more often increase in body weight, systolic blood pressure and serum creatinine than those treated with MA. It is concluded that MPA may be more effective for treatment of bone metastases, at the expense of more progestational side-effects. The occurrence of Cushingoid effects is frequent but similar in both arms, while the incidence of cardiovascular or thrombo-embolic events cannot be related to the use of either compound.
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PMID:A randomized comparison of megestrol acetate (MA) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in patients with advanced breast cancer. 214 91

In 47 postmenopausal women with evaluable breast cancer, oral medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) was given at a daily dose level of 400 mg. Patients with negative estrogen receptors, poor performance status, or nonresponse to previous endocrine therapy were excluded from this study. There were 25 (53%) responders to this agent. Periods of remission ranged from 5-26 months with a median of 10 and a mean of 12+ months. Higher rates of response were noted in women over 50 years of age, in patients with osseous metastasis, and in patients with a longer disease-free interval. Adverse effects included weight gain, Cushingoid appearance, skin rash, and vaginal discharge. In this selected group of patients, oral medroxyprogesterone at a dose level of 400 mg/day appeared to provide a significant frequency of tumor response.
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PMID:Oral medroxyprogesterone in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. 373 62

We evaluated the question of whether the chemosensitizers verapamil and quinine given orally to breast cancer patients failing combination chemotherapy alone would result in additional clinical responses. In vitro studies reported here showed verapamil sensitization of Adriamycin resistance in 18.8% of fresh human breast cancer specimens tested. Patients (27) were first treated with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin and dexamethasone (CVAD) alone. Verapamil and quinine were added in patients with tumors failing to respond or progressing on CVAD alone. Following treatment with CVAD alone there were no complete remissions and 3 patients (11%) developed partial remissions lasting 5.5, 8, 10.5 months. With the addition of verapamil and quinine to the CVAD regimen, one patient (4%) developed a complete remission of 11.8 months duration and 4 additional patients (15%) developed partial remissions lasting 2.8, 17.3, 19 and > 40 months. Thus, the overall rate of CVAD sensitization by verapamil and quinine was 19%. Treatment with CVAD plus verapamil and quinine was generally well tolerated with observed toxicities including: myelosuppression, neuropathy, Cushingoid symptoms and tinnitus and/or dizziness due to quinine. We conclude that addition of the non-cytotoxic chemosensitizers verapamil and quinine to CVAD in patients failing CVAD alone results in additional clinical responses in a small percentage of patients, some with long term durations. The results of this study lend credence to the notion that non-cytotoxic chemosensitizers can enhance the clinical activity of combination chemotherapy and the search for more effective and less toxic chemosensitizers continues.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 1997 Jan
PMID:Combination chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone (CVAD) plus oral quinine and verapamil in patients with advanced breast cancer. 911 20