Randomized comparison of the effects of tamoxifen, megestrol acetate, or tamoxifen plus megestrol acetate on treatment response and survival in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The antioestrogen tamoxifen and progestins act via different receptors and may therefore have complementary effects against human breast cancer. This possibility was tested in a randomized study which compared the effects of tamoxifen, standard-dose megestrol acetate, and these two agents in combination, in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 184 post-menopausal patients with metastatic breast cancer were randomized to initial treatment with either tamoxifen (TAM) 40 mg daily, megestrol acetate (MA) 160 mgm daily, or the combination of the two administered simultaneously. Patients crossed over to the alternative single agent on relapse or disease progres..