Tamoxifen (Antiestrogen) Therapy in Advanced Breast Cancer

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Abstract
Postmenopausal women (59) with advanced breast cancer were treated with tamoxifen (antiestrogen), 20 mg orally twice a day for at least 2 mo. They were previously treated with other types of hormonal therapy or intensive chemotherapies, or both. Nineteen of the 59 patients (32%) had a complete response (7 patients) or partial response (12 patients). Median duration of response was 9+ mo. Tumors containing estrogen receptors and those that responded to previous hormonal manipulation tended to respond to tamoxifen (60% and 69%, respectively). Patients with receptor-negative tumor or with a history of failure of previous hormonal treatments did not respond to tamoxifen therapy. Tamoxifen is effective against advanced breast cancer. Side effects of treatment were mild.