Profound suppression of plasma estrogens by megestrol acetate in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.

摘要: Twelve postmenopausal women suffering from advanced breast cancer had plasma estrogens, androgens, cortisol, and gonadotropins determined before therapy during treatment with megestrol acetate (MA) in oral doses escalated 40 to 160 mg. The clearance production rate of estrone sulfate were after 4 weeks mg MA. Treatment MA suppressed levels dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, cortisol a dose-dependent manner <10% pretreatment values. Plasma testosterone, estradiol, estrone, 18-29% values, whereas the 35-52%. rates increased by mean value 23.7% (P < 0.01) 23.5% 0.025), reduced 76.7% 0.0005) 76.1% 0.0005), respectively. Our findings indicate that causes profound suppression adrenal steroid but addition suppresses ovarian secretion androgens patients. reduction estrogens is comparable values obtained commonly used aromatase inhibitors may be responsible for its antitumor effects cancer.