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Selective aromatase inhibition for patients with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma
Author(s) -
Smith Matthew R.,
Kaufman Donald,
George Daniel,
Oh William K.,
Kazanis Maryanne,
Manola Judith,
Kantoff Philip W.
Publication year - 2002
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/cncr.10844
Subject(s) - medicine , aromatase , letrozole , aromatase inhibitor , prostate , androgen , prostate specific antigen , carcinoma , oncology , adverse effect , progressive disease , urology , endocrinology , disease , cancer , hormone , breast cancer
BACKGROUND First and second‐generation aromatase inhibitors have shown activity in patients with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma. These early‐generation aromatase inhibitors are nonselective, however, and inhibition of other steroidogenic enzymes may contribute to their reported clinical activity. The authors conducted a Phase II clinical study of letrozole to determine the safety and efficacy of a potent and selective third‐generation aromatase inhibitor in men with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma. METHODS Forty‐three men with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma were treated with oral letrozole (2.5 mg daily). Treatment was continued until progressive disease or Grade 3 toxicity developed. Response and progressive disease were defined according to recommendations of the Prostate Specific Antigen Working Group. RESULTS In total, 380 weeks of treatment were administered to the 43 study patients. The median duration of treatment was 8 weeks. Forty men discontinued treatment due to progressive disease. Only one patient responded to treatment with a sustained decrease > 50% in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Three other patients experienced transient minor decreases (< 50%) in serum PSA levels. There were no serious treatment‐related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Selective aromatase inhibition with letrozole is not active in men with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma. Cancer 2002;95:1864–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.10844