THE CORRELATION OF ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE-RECEPTOR LEVELS WITH RESPONSE TO CHEMOTHERAPY FOR ADVANCED-CARCINOMA OF THE BREAST

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 152  (1) , 70-74
Abstract
Estrogen and progesterone receptor levels were determined simultaneously in tumor samples obtained from 105 patients who subsequently received a trial of hormonal or chemotherapy for metastatic carcinoma of the breast. Twenty-three of 33 estrogen receptor positive patients in contrast with 3 of 22 estrogen receptor negative patients achieved an objective response to hormonal therapy [diethylstilbestrol or tamoxifen]. A total of 12 of 16 estrogen receptor positive patients compared with only 6 of 34 estrogen receptor negative patients responded to combination chemotherapy [cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin]. Simultaneous measurement of progesterone receptor improved the selection of tumors responsive to chemotherapy; only 4 of 30 patients who were estrogen receptor negative-progesterone receptor negative achieved a response. The cumulative survival time of 36 mo. after the 1st recurrence of carcinoma of the breast was significantly lower in estrogen receptor negative patients receiving chemotherapy. Patients with estrogen receptor negative carcinoma of the breast probably are resistant to standard hormonal and chemotherapeutic measures for metastatic disease and carry a poor prognosis.