Aminoglutethimide dose and hormone suppression in advanced breast cancer.

The effect of the dose of aminoglutethimide on the suppression of oestrone, oestradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHAS) levels was studied in 36 women with advanced postmenopausal breast cancer, all of whom received 20 mg hydrocortisone twice daily as replacement glucocorticoid. Aminoglutethimide (AG) 250 mg twice a day was as effective as AG 250 mg 3 times a day or AG 250 mg 4 times a day. Side-effects were less at the lowest dosage and were age-related. On-treatment oestrone levels were higher in non-responders to treatment. Lower doses of AG than are currently used may be as effective therapeutically.