Abstract
Overexpression of erbB2 in breast tumours can predict resistance to tamoxifen therapy. We conducted a small trial to determine if erbB2 status correlates with tumour response and biochemical changes in postmenopausal women receiving neoadjuvant therapy with the aromatase inhibitor, anastrozole. Twenty-four postmenopausal women with oestrogen receptor (ER)-rich, large, operable breast tumours received three months of neoadjuvant anastrozole, 1 or 10 mg daily, then surgery, followed by another five years of anastrozole 1 mg daily. Response to the treatment was based on changes in clinical and ultrasound measurements of tumour volume and changes in tumour proliferation and progesterone receptor (PgR) status. After follow-up for a median duration of four years therapy, there was no apparent difference between erbB2 0/1+ and erbB2 3+ tumours in clinical response or changes in proliferation and PgR expression. In conclusion, anastrozole appears to be an effective endocrine option in this patient population, irrespective of the erbB2 status.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2742-7 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990) |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2004 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Aged
- Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
- Breast Neoplasms
- Cell Proliferation
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Genes, erbB-2
- Humans
- Lymphatic Metastasis
- Nitriles
- Postmenopause
- Receptor, erbB-2
- Receptors, Progesterone
- Triazoles