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Phase II study of flutamide in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Chao Yee,
Chan WingKai,
Huang YiShin,
Teng HoChung,
Wang SunSang,
Lui WingYiu,
WhangPeng Jacqueline,
Lee ShouDong
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(19960215)77:4<635::aid-cncr8>3.0.co;2-f
Subject(s) - flutamide , medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , antiandrogen , carcinoma , progressive disease , gastroenterology , androgen , oncology , phases of clinical research , toxicity , urology , chemotherapy , androgen receptor , cancer , prostate cancer , hormone
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a male predominant disease and may be an androgen‐dependent or androgen‐responsive tumor. This Phase II study was designed to investigate the clinical activity and toxicity of flutamide in the treatment of patients with advanced HCC. METHODS Thirty‐two patients with measurable advanced HCC were studied. Flutamide, 750 mg per day, was administered orally for 8 weeks. Ten patients died before repeat tumor measurements could be performed. RESULTS Twenty‐two patients were evaluable for response and toxicities. There were no complete responses nor partial responses. Nine of 22 patients (41%) had stable disease and 13 patients (59%) had progressive disease. Serum alpha‐fetoprotein was reduced in three patients. The median survival was 10 weeks (range, one to 35 weeks). Toxicities were minimal and tolerable. CONCLUSIONS Flutamide is not effective in the treatment of advanced HCC. Clinically, HCC may not be an androgen‐responsive tumor. Other new methods of treatment of HCC warrants future clinical investigations. Cancer 1996; 77:635‐9.