Aminoglutethimide as second line endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer.

Eighty five patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer, whose disease progressed on hormonal therapy with tamoxifen, were treated with aminoglutethimide. The overall objective response rate was 33%, with a median duration of response of 8 months. Even patients who failed to respond to tamoxifen responded to aminoglutethimide. Objective response was achieved in all metastatic sites, except for lung. Subjective improvement was observed in 75% of the patients. In spite of the fact that initial toxicity was high (70%), side effects of aminoglutethimide were transient, and treatment had to be discontinued in only 4 patients. The results of this trial indicate that aminoglutethimide is an important addition for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, especially in patients with positive hormone receptors.