Abstract
Liarozole is an imidazole compound that inhibits enzymes involved in steroid hormone aromatisation and retinoid metabolism. The IDBBC branch of the EORTC has performed a series of phase II studies of the agent in four groups of postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer. This paper reports the results of the first two groups: ‘Chemotherapy Resistant’ (unrestricted ER status, 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens, 0–2 prior hormonal therapies) and ‘Potentially Hormone Sensitive’ (ER positive or unknown, 1 or 2 prior hormonal therapies with a substantial disease free interval or progression free survival, and no history of chemotherapy for metastatic disease). Liarozole was administered at 150–300 mg orally bid. The objective response rate was 12% in the ‘Chemotherapy Resistant’ group (n=34), and 22% in the ‘Potentially Hormone Sensitive’ group (n=37), with median response durations of 9 and 14 months, respectively. Median time to treatment failure was only 2 months in both groups, due largely to the significant percentage (24%) of patients who ceased treatment following excessive mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal toxicity. This adverse event profile will limit its use in breast cancer. Results of the ‘ER negative’ and ‘Tamoxifen Refractory’ groups will be reported in a future paper.
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Hamilton, A., Roy, JA., Beex, L. et al. EORTC 10941: A phase II study of liarozole in postmenopausal patients with ‘Chemotherapy-Resistant’ or ‘Potentially Hormone Sensitive’ metastatic breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 60, 181–188 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006398518037
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006398518037