[Experience in the treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma with norethisterone acetate in a clinical study]

Abstract

Twenty-nine patients with progressive advanced carcinoma of the breast were treated with 40 mg/day norethisterone acetate orally in this clinical trial. 27 of 29 patients were evaluable for response to the drug. One patient achieved a partial response (duration 2 months), 6 had a stable disease (median duration 7.6 months) and 20 developed a progressive disease on treatment. There was a high rate of liver toxicity in 23 patients [grade 3 and 4 according to WHO (1)]. The literature on norethisterone acetate is reviewed and compared with present results. The role of progestogenic agents in treatment of advanced mammary carcinoma is discussed.