Endocrine profile in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Chemotherapy-Induced Amenorrhea and Its Prognostic Significance in Premenopausal Women With Breast Cancer: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Objective

Chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) is one of the most common side effects in premenopausal patients with breast cancer, and several factors may contribute to the incidence of CIA. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize clinical risk factors associated with CIA incidence and to evaluate their prognostic effects in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

Three electronic databases (Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE) were systematically searched for articles published up to October 2021. The articles included clinical trials that evaluated risk factors associated with CIA and their prognostic value in treatment. For the meta-analysis, pooled odds ratio estimates (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using the inverse variance-weighted approach, in addition to publication bias and the chi-square test.

Results

A total of 68 studies involving 26,585 patients with breast cancer were included in this meta-analysis, and 16,927 patients developed CIA. From the 68 studies, 7 risk factors were included such as age group, hormone receptor (HR) status, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, tamoxifen administration, chemotherapeutic regimen, and tumor stage. Based on our results, patients with age of ≤40, HR-negative status, ER-negative status, PR-negative status, no use of tamoxifen, and use of anthracycline-based regimen (A) compared with anthracycline-taxane-based regimen (A+T) were associated with less incidence of CIA in patients with breast cancer. Moreover, CIA was associated with favorable disease-free survival (OR = 0.595, 95% CI = 0.537 to 0.658, p < 0.001) and overall survival (OR = 0.547, 95% CI = 0.454–0.660, p < 0.001) in premenopausal patients with breast cancer.

Conclusion

Age, HR status, ER status, PR status, tamoxifen administration, and chemotherapeutic regimen can be considered independent factors to predict the occurrence of CIA. CIA is a favorable prognostic factor in premenopausal patients with breast cancer. CIA should be a trade-off in the clinical management of premenopausal patients with breast cancer, and further large cohort studies are necessary to confirm these results.

Translational Physiology of Anti-Müllerian Hormone: Clinical Applications in Female Fertility Preservation and Cancer Treatment

Background

Whilst the ability of AMH to induce the regression of the Müllerian ducts in the male fetus is well appreciated, AMH has additional biological actions in relation to steroid biosynthesis and ovarian follicle dynamics. An understanding of the physiology of AMH illuminates the potential therapeutic utility of AMH to protect the ovarian reserve during chemotherapy and in the treatment of female malignancies. The translation of the biological actions of AMH into clinical applications is an emerging focus of research, with promising preliminary results.

Objective and Rationale

Studies indicate AMH restrains primordial follicle development, thus administration of AMH during chemotherapy may protect the ovarian reserve by preventing the mass activation of primordial follicles. As AMH induces regression of tissues expressing the AMH receptor (AMHRII), administration of AMH may inhibit growth of malignancies expressing AMHR II. This review evaluates the biological actions of AMH in females and appraises human clinical applications.

Search Methods

A comprehensive search of the Medline and EMBASE databases seeking articles related to the physiological functions and therapeutic applications of AMH was conducted in July 2021. The search was limited to studies published in English.

Outcomes

AMH regulates primordial follicle recruitment and moderates sex steroid production through the inhibition of transcription of enzymes in the steroid biosynthetic pathway, primarily aromatase and 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase. Preliminary data indicates that administration of AMH to mice during chemotherapy conveys a degree of protection to the ovarian reserve. Administration of AMH at the time of ovarian tissue grafting has the potential to restrain uncontrolled primordial follicle growth during revascularization. Numerous studies demonstrate AMH induced regression of AMHR II expressing malignancies. As this action occurs via a different mechanism to traditional chemotherapeutic agents, AMH has the capacity to inhibit proliferation of chemo-resistant ovarian cancer cells and cancer stem cells.

Wider Implications

To date, AMH has not been administered to humans. Data identified in this review suggests administration of AMH would be safe and well tolerated. Administration of AMH during chemotherapy may provide a synchronistic benefit to women with an AMHR II expressing malignancy, protecting the ovarian reserve whilst the cancer is treated by dual mechanisms.

Practical consensus recommendations on ovarian suppression in early breast cancer (adjuvant)

Substantial survival benefits exist for patients with early-stage breast cancer who undergo treatment with single-modality ovarian suppression, but its value is uncertain. Expert oncologist discussed to determine whether additional benefits exist with ovarian suppression plus multiple adjuvant therapy which provides a new treatment option that reduces the risk of recurrence in early breast cancer. This expert group used data from published literature, practical experience and opinion of a large group of academic oncologists to arrive at this practical consensus recommendations for the benefit of community oncologists.

Fertility preservation in female cancer survivors

The advancement of cancer therapies over the last few decades has significantly improved long-term survival of cancer patients, especially children and adolescents. As many of the therapeutic agents used are highly cytotoxic, cancer survivors have to pay the price of enduring various immediate and long-term side-effects. Unfortunately, gonadal failure and infertility are among the most common long-term side-effects, resulting in distress, lowered self-esteem and quality of life. Three modalities of fertility preservation can be offered to female patients prior to commencing their cancer treatment: embryo, oocyte and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. This paper reviews the outcomes for female patients who underwent fertility preservation in University College Hospital between 1995 and 2005, and post-therapeutic use of their frozen specimens. In addition, the effects of cytotoxic agents on fertility and ovarian function, and the range of fertility preservation available for female cancer sufferers are also discussed.

Analysis of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea rates by three different anthracycline and taxane containing regimens for early breast cancer

PURPOSE

Chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) by newer taxane-containing regimens was evaluated in early breast cancer (EBC) patients.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of 122 premenopausal EBC patients participated in a phase III trial of preoperative docetaxel/capecitabine (TX) versus doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (AC); 34 patients received adjuvant AC followed by paclitaxel (T) and 129 patients received 5-fluorouracil/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (FAC).

RESULTS

The CIA rate was 90.2% with TX/AC, 73.5% with AC followed by T, and 72.1% with FAC at 1 year (P = 0.002), and 66.7%, 73.3%, and 58.9%, respectively, at 3 years (P = 0.268). At one year, age (P < 0.001) and taxane use (P = 0.002), and after two years, age and tamoxifen use were significant factors for CIA in multivariate analysis. Serum estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were significantly correlated with menstrual status, age, and tamoxifen use.

CONCLUSION

Taxanes resulted in higher CIA rates in the first year, but age and tamoxifen use were significant factors for persistent CIA.

Cancer and fertility preservation: fertility preservation in breast cancer patients

Aggressive chemotherapy has improved the life expectancy for reproductive-age women with breast cancer, but it often causes infertility or premature ovarian failure due to destruction of the ovarian reserve. Many questions concerning fertility preservation in breast cancer patients remain unanswered – for example, whether fertility preservation methods interfere with chemotherapy, and whether subsequent pregnancy has negative effects on the prognosis. Fertility preservation is a critical factor in decision-making for younger breast cancer patients, however, and clinicians should address this. The present article reviews the incidence of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea, and discusses fertility-preservation options and the prognosis for patients who become pregnant after breast cancer.

Predictors of ovarian reserve in young women with breast cancer

Ovarian reserve can be diminished following treatment for breast cancer. This study evaluated biochemical and biophysical parameters of ovarian reserve in these patients. Biochemical and biophysical tests of ovarian reserve were performed simultaneously in young (age 22–42 years), regularly menstruating women with breast cancer (n=22) and age-matched controls (n=24). All tests were performed before (baseline) and after transient ovarian stimulation in the early follicular phase. Patients were recruited both before and after completion of chemotherapy, with some patients being followed up prospectively. Serum samples were analysed for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), oestradiol (E₂), inhibins A and B, and antimullerian hormone (AMH). Biophysical (ultrasound) tests included ovarian volume, antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian stromal blood flow and uterine dimensions. Significant differences were revealed (when compared with the controls) for basal FSH (11.32±1.48 vs 6.62±0.42 mIU ml⁻¹, P<0.001), basal AMH (0.95±0.34 vs 7.89±1.62 ng ml⁻¹, P<0.001) and basal inhibin B (19.24±4.56 vs 83.61±13.45 pg ml⁻¹, P<0.001). Following transient ovarian stimulation, there were significant differences in the increment change (Δ) for inhibin B (3.02±2.3 vs 96.82±16.38 pg ml⁻¹, P<0.001) and E₂ (107.8±23.95 vs 283.2±40.34 pg ml⁻¹, P<0.01). AFC was the only biophysical parameter that was significantly different between patients and the controls (7.80±0.85 vs 16.77±1.11, P<0.001). Basal and stimulated biochemical (serum AMH, FSH, inhibin B and E₂) and biophysical (AFC) tests may be potential markers of ovarian reserve in young women with breast cancer.

Relation of Body Mass Index (BMI) to Disease Free (DFS) and Distant Disease Free Survivals (DDFS) Among Turkish Women with Operable Breast Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The correlation between body mass index (BMI) and patient and tumor characteristics related to prognosis has not been well explored and may help to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the carcinogenesis. Because of the equivocal, inconsistent and uncertain research results as well as racial and ethnic differences, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of high BMI in Turkish women with operable breast carcinoma.

METHODS

Two hundred and sixty-six patients who had operable invasive breast carcinoma diagnosed from 2000 through 2004 in a single institution were evaluated for their demographic features, BMI, histopathological/immunohistochemical examinations and treatments. Quetelet BMI [weight (kg)/height (m)2] categories were selected according to the World Health Organization definition. Disease free survival (DSF) as well as distant disease free survival (DDSF) analyses were performed to identify independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Post-menopausal patients were significantly in the higher quartile of BMI than pre-menopausal patients (P = 0.003). While post-menopausal obese patients had worse DSF and DDFS (P = 0.001), vascular invasion was the independent prognostic factor for both survival indices (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-menopausal obese Turkish women are at increased risk of developing breast tumors with aggressive phenotype and obesity is a strong predictor of poor DSF and DDFS. Preventive strategies to reduce not only the prevalence of obesity and breast cancer but also the mortality must be recognized as the cost-effective public-health policy for Turkey.

Amenorrhea in premenopausal women after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer

Chemotherapy and ovarian ablation both independently improve survival in premenopausal women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. Amenorrhea is a well-recognized occurrence after chemotherapy. The rate of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea varies with patient age and chemotherapy regimens administered. However, the impact of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea on prognosis is still being defined. Older studies in premenopausal women argue that the benefit with chemotherapy is a result of direct cytotoxicity alone. However, studies that restrict outcome analysis to hormone receptor-positive tumors suggest that chemotherapy has a dual mechanism in women with hormone-responsive tumors; indirect endocrine manipulation secondary to chemotherapy-induced ovarian suppression and direct cytotoxicity. The significant health ramifications involved with the induction of premature menopause as well as potential benefits necessitate a comprehensive evaluation of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea. This review will discuss the incidence of amenorrhea with commonly-used adjuvant chemotherapeutic regimens, the possible benefits of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea, and the challenges of interpreting the existing data in breast cancer trials.

The Influence of Endocrine Effects of Adjuvant Therapy on Quality of Life Outcomes in Younger Breast Cancer Survivors

SIGNIFICANCE

There are 2.2 million breast cancer survivors, and approximately 25%-30% of newly diagnosed women each year are <50 years of age. Adjuvant therapy has prolonged survival, but the quality of that survival is influenced by persistent and late effects of therapy. Knowledge of treatment outcomes will assist in the design of interventions to prevent or manage persistent and late effects in survivors.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to review the incidence of gonadal toxicity associated with adjuvant chemotherapy, side effects of endocrine therapy, quality of life outcomes, fertility concerns, and options to preserve fertility in young (<35 years) and young midlife (35-50 years) breast cancer survivors.

RESULTS

Alkylating agent-based chemotherapy causes destruction of primordial follicles and impairment of follicular maturation resulting in temporary preservation of menses, reversible amenorrhea, irregular menses (perimenopause), or irreversible amenorrhea (ovarian failure--menopause). Younger women have a lower risk for amenorrhea with chemotherapy because of sufficient follicular stores, although the gonadal toxicity will result in an earlier than expected menopause. Premature menopause is associated with poorer quality of life, decreased sexual functioning, menopausal symptom distress, psychosocial distress related to fertility concerns, infertility, and uncertainty about late effects of premature menopause. Routine discussion about the menopausal experience, risks for infertility, and fertility preservation options is recommended.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This review identified adverse treatment outcomes for young and young midlife breast cancer survivors that can be minimized or prevented with targeted interventions.

Incidence of chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea depending on the timing of treatment by menstrual cycle phase in women with early breast cancer

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to characterize the factors associated with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) and to examine whether the phase of the menstrual cycle at chemotherapy start could affect the rate of CIA in premenopausal women with early breast cancer.

METHODS

CIA was defined as the cessation of menses for at least 3 months during or after chemotherapy. Menstrual phase was defined as days 1-6, follicular phase as days 7-14, luteal phase as days 15-20 and premenstrual phase as days 21-28. Univariate and multivariate predictors of CIA were examined.

RESULTS

Among 111 premenopausal women, univariate analysis showed a higher incidence of CIA in patients treated in the follicular phase rather than in other menstrual cycle phases (67.6% compared with 45.5%; P=0.03). The rate of CIA increased with age: 65.2% and 45.8% in patients aged >42 and </=42 years, respectively (P=0.05). Upon multivariate analysis these differences remained statistically significant and duration of chemotherapy of more than six cycles correlated significantly with the incidence of CIA (P=0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The major implication of this analysis is that the timing of treatment within the menstrual cycle may potentially modulate the onset of CIA. This work and its future confirmation using prospective randomized trials would be useful in predicting the likelihood of CIA and in counseling breast cancer patients, especially those with a good prognosis who benefit less from chemical castration.

The CXCL12-CXCR4 chemotactic pathway as a target of adjuvant breast cancer therapies

Dose-dense adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy is a new treatment strategy that aims to improve tumour control by using more frequent cytotoxic dosing together with continuous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to minimize neutropaenia. In addition to stimulating neutrophil proliferation, G-CSF mobilizes neutrophils from the bone marrow through proteolytic disruption of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 and its chemotactic ligand CXCL12. As breast cancers also express CXCR4 and oestrogen induces CXCL12, the success of dose-dense treatment could partly reflect inhibition of CXCR4-dependent micrometastatic homing and/or paracrine survival, and suggests a benefit of adjuvant oestrogen suppression for patients with oestrogen-receptor-negative, CXCR4-positive disease.

Obesity and breast cancer: a review of the literature

A woman's build, the risk of breast cancer and its subsequent prognosis seem to be related. In most but not all case-control and prospective cohort studies, an inverse relationship has been found between weight and breast cancer among premenopausal women. However, most large epidemiological studies have found that overweight or obese women are at increased risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer. It is suggested that higher body mass index is associated with a more advanced stage of breast cancer at diagnosis in terms of tumour size but data on lymph node status is not so consistent. All treatment modalities for breast cancer such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormonal treatment may be adversely affected by the presence of obesity. The overall and disease-free survival is worse in most but not all studies of prognosis of obese pre- and postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

Ovarian ablation as a treatment for breast cancer

Ovarian ablation is an effective treatment for premenopausal women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer. It can be achieved permanently by surgery or radiotherapy and reversibly by LhRH agonists. This paper discusses the evidence that it is an effective adjuvant therapy and defines the place of oophorectomy in the management of such patients. The achievement of an amenhorreic state is important and chemotherapy may well exert some of its effects by causing ovarian suppression. The use of LhRH agonists in managing such patients is discussed.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis in women with breast cancer

Osteopenia and osteoporosis are prevalent in women. Epidemiologic studies show that the risk of breast cancer is greater in postmenopausal women with higher bone mineral density (BMD). Standard treatments for breast cancer such as adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy can increase bone loss, and hence may increase the risk of osteoporosis. Premenopausal women treated with standard adjuvant chemotherapy frequently develop permanent ovarian failure, or early menopause. Ovarian failure is associated with accelerated bone loss, and bisphosphonates may mitigate this bone loss in women treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. Tamoxifen preserves BMD in postmenopausal women; however, in premenopausal women tamoxifen may increase bone loss. Anastrazole, an aromatase inhibitor, is approved for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. With a follow-up duration of less than 5 years, anastrazole-treated women experience increased fractures relative to those treated with tamoxifen. The management of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women with breast cancer generally does not differ from women without breast cancer. Adequate dietary calcium and vitamin D intake, encouraging weight-bearing exercise, and counseling about the relationship between smoking and alcohol and bone loss are all prudent recommendations for overall health and may lessen bone loss and the risk of subsequent osteoporosis. BMD should be measured in women with chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure, and in those on aromatase inhibitors. Bisphosphonates reduce the bone loss associated with chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure, and clinical trials evaluating third-generation bisphosphonates in women with chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure are underway. As many women with breast cancer will be long-term survivors, increasing recognition of maintaining skeletal health is important.

Management of premenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer: is there a role for ovarian suppression?

There is an overwhelming body of evidence that adjuvant ovarian ablation/suppression has a favorable impact on survival for premenopausal women with hormone-responsive early-stage breast cancer. This article reviews the randomized controlled trials that provide these data and the indirect evidence suggesting that much of the benefit seen for adjuvant chemotherapy in estrogen receptor-positive patients < 50 years of age is an indirect consequence of a chemical castration. Therefore, carefully selected women may have a choice of ovarian suppression with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, such as goserelin, as an alternative to chemotherapy, which would allow younger premenopausal women to retain fertility. In addition, if chemotherapy is selected and the patient does not develop permanent amenorrhoea, then additional treatment with a GnRH analogue is indicated.

Preservation of fertility and ovarian function and minimalization of chemotherapy associated gonadotoxicity and premature ovarian failure: the role of inhibin-A and -B as markers

BACKGROUND

Following the improved long term survival in young women with lymphoma and leukemia undergoing chemotherapy, the preservation of future fertility has been the focus of recent interest. The investigational endeavors of ovarian cryopreservation awaits the clinical experience of in-vitro maturation of thawed primordial follicles, their in-vitro fertilization and ET. Although promising, this experience is not available yet. Moreover, the risk of possible reimplantation of malignant stem cells with the thawed cryopreserved ovary has been raised, following experimental animal observations. Therefore, until these innovative endeavors prove successful, and in parallel to them we attempted to minimize the gonadotoxic effect of chemotherapy by the co-treatment with a GnRH agonistic analogue to induce a temporary prepubertal milieu. Whereas, inhibin-B concentrations in serum may reflect the ovarian granulosa cell compartment, inhibin-A reflects luteal function. The immunoreactive inhibin-A and -B in these patients, before, during, and following the gonadotoxic chemotherapy were measured.

METHODS

A prospective clinical protocol was undertaken in 55 women with lymphoma, aged 15-40 years, ten with leukemia and eight undergoing chemotherapeutic treatments for non malignant diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or other autoimmune diseases. A monthly injection of depot D-TRP6-GnRH-a was administered from before starting the chemotherapy until its conclusion, up to a maximum of 6 months. Hormonal profile (FSH, LH, E2, T, P4, IGF-1, IGF-BP3, and PRL) was taken before starting the GnRH-a/chemotherapy co-treatment, and monthly thereafter, until resuming spontaneous ovulation. This group was compared with a control group of 55 women who have been treated with similar chemotherapy. Inhibin-A and -B immunoactivity was measured by an ELISA commercial kit (Serotec).

RESULTS

Whereas, all but three (40- and 36-year-old) of the surviving patients with GnRH-a/chemotherapy co-treatment group resumed spontaneous ovulation and menses within 12 months, less than half of the patients in the control group (chemotherapy without GnRH-a co-treatment) resumed ovarian function and regular cyclic activity (P<0.05). The remaining 56% experienced premature ovarian failure (POF). Temporary increased FSH concentrations were experienced by about a third of the patients resuming cyclic ovarian function, suggesting a reversible ovarian damage in a larger proportion of women than those experiencing POF. Inhibin-A and -B decreased during the GnRH-a/chemotherapy co-treatment but increased to normal levels in patients who resumed regular ovarian cyclicity, and/or spontaneously conceived, as compared with low levels in those who developed POF.

CONCLUSIONS

If these preliminary data are consistent in a larger group of patients, inhibin-A or -B concentrations may serve as prognostic factors for predicting the resumption of ovarian function, in addition to the levels of FSH, LH and E2. The GnRH-a co-treatment should be considered in every woman in the reproductive age receiving chemotherapy, in addition to ART, and to the investigational attempts of ovarian cryopreservation for future in-vitro maturation, autotransplantation, or xenotransplantation.

The impact on sexual functioning of chemotherapy-induced menopause in women with breast cancer

This article presents a comprehensive review and synthesis of empirical and conceptually based literature documenting the impact of chemotherapy-induced menopause on the sexual functioning of women with breast cancer. A literature search of the CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Psych Lit from 1980 to 1999 databases was undertaken. This literature was systematically assessed to determine key findings and conclusions. Two major themes were identified and are reported here: physical and psychological sequelae associated with altered sexual functioning. Recommendations and suggestions for further directions in research are identified.

[Hormone therapy and breast cancer: a review]

PURPOSE

Tamoxifen as adjuvant hormonal therapy after hormonosensitive-breast cancer surgery is well established nowadays, as well as its efficacy in first-line therapy of advanced hormonosensitive breast cancers. Research of drugs which could be effective, with little toxicity, and having a positive impact on cardiovascular disease or bone is an important issue.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS

New drugs are in development or will soon be on the market to permit second or third lines of treatment with respect to effectiveness and quality of life, such as new anti-estrogens or selective estrogen receptors modulators or aromatase inhibitors. Their principal characteristics are reviewed through recent data.

FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS

Prevention of breast cancer is a pertinent question and major publications are presented. Finally, the controversy about the possible reintroduction of replacement hormonal therapy after breast cancer will be questioned through trials.

Influence of endocrine-related factors on response to perioperative chemotherapy for patients with node-negative breast cancer

PURPOSE

We investigated tumor- and patient-related features that might influence the response to perioperative chemotherapy (PeCT) compared with no adjuvant therapy for patients with node-negative breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 1,275 patients were randomized to either no adjuvant treatment (427 patients) or PeCT (848 patients). The following variables thought to have prognostic significance were evaluated: grade, tumor size, estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) content (absent; low, 1 to 9 fmol/mg cytosol protein; or positive, > or = 10 fmol/mg cytosol protein), c-erbB-2 overexpression, menopausal status, and age. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the relative influence of these factors to predict the effect of PeCT on disease-free survival (DFS). Median follow-up was 13.5 years.

RESULTS

The 10-year DFS percentage for 692 premenopausal patients did not significantly differ between the PeCT and no-adjuvant-treatment groups: 61% and 59%, respectively (relative risk [RR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75 to 1.20; P = .70). No predictive factors were identified. For 583 postmenopausal patients, 10-year DFS percentages for the groups were 63% and 58%, respectively (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.93; P = .03). The absence of expression of ER, PgR, or both ER and PgR was the most important factor predicting improved outcome with PeCT among postmenopausal patients. The 10-year DFS percentages were 85% and 53% for the steroid hormone receptor-absent cohort of treated and untreated patients, respectively (RR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.49; P = .0009).

CONCLUSION

The role of PeCT should be explored for patients whose primary tumors do not express steroid hormone receptors, because it is likely that early initiation of treatment is exclusively relevant for such patients.

Cognitive function and reproductive hormones in adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: a critical review

Deterioration in cognitive function-particularly learning, memory, and attention-has been reported by women with breast cancer who receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Deficits in cognitive function reported by women with breast cancer are similar to those experienced by women as a consequence of natural or surgical menopause. The basis of these deteriorations may include reductions in reproductive hormone levels, particularly estrogens and progesterones, that occur as a result of adjuvant chemotherapy. This paper critically examines the literature related to the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy and reproductive hormone changes on cognitive function in women with breast cancer and suggests direction for future research in this area. The paper proposes a framework for investigation of the problem and discusses the challenges associated with the conduct of this research.

Breast cancer survival and hormone replacement therapy: a cohort analysis

Controversy exists regarding the safety of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after a diagnosis of breast cancer. The objective of this study is to perform a matched cohort analysis to evaluate the impact of HRT on mortality in breast cancer survivors. Patients with breast cancer who received HRT after diagnosis of breast cancer were identified. Control subjects were identified from the regional cancer registry. Matching criteria included age at diagnosis, stage of breast cancer, and year of diagnosis. Controls were selected only if they were alive at the time of initiation of HRT of the matched case. Only subjects not included in a previously reported matched analysis were selected. One hundred twenty-five cases were matched with 362 controls. Ninety-eight percent (123/125) of the cases received systemic estrogen; 90/125 (72%) also received a progestational agent. The median interval between diagnosis of breast cancer and initiation of HRT was 46 months (range 0-401 months). The median duration of HRT was 22 months (range 1-357 months). The risk of death was lower among the HRT survivors; odds ratio 0.28 (95% confidence interval 0.11-0.71). This analysis does not suggest that HRT after the treatment of breast cancer is associated with an adverse outcome.

Alterations in laboratory test results during adjuvant breast cancer treatment

An increasing number of women is treated with adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil therapy for breast cancer. The effects of the chemotherapy on many laboratory tests are, however, inadequately known. This study investigates the effects of the treatment on various laboratory tests. Fifteen premenopausal women receiving adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy and optional radiotherapy were included in the study. Common hormonal, biochemical, hematological, protein and lipid laboratory tests were taken serially during a 10-month follow-up. Twelve women became amenorrheic. Their serum follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone concentrations increased accordingly. Other serum hormones (testosterone, androstenedione, sex hormone-binding globulin, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, parathyroid hormone and thyroid hormones) changed only slightly. Hemoglobin concentration and white blood cell count decreased slightly. Serum alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, amylase, glucose, potassium, phosphate, urea and triglycerides concentrations increased slightly whereas serum bilirubin, haptoglobin, and immunoglobulin A and M decreased slightly. Serum alpha1-antitrypsin fluctuated around the baseline concentration. Other test results remained at their pretreatment concentrations. With the exception of increases in serum gonadotrophins, the changes observed were slight and the mean concentrations remained within reference limits. Therefore, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil adjuvant treatment is unlikely to complicate the diagnosis of other diseases.

Amenorrhea induced by adjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer patients: prognostic role and clinical implications

BACKGROUND

The role of amenorrhea induced by chemotherapy in premenopausal women with early breast cancer is very controversial. Analyses by various authors of the effect of drug-induced amenorrhea (DIA) on treatment outcome have yielded conflicting results. In order to gain insight into the role of DIA, we reviewed all published data addressing the issue of DIA as a prognostic factor.

METHODS

Computerised and manual searches were conducted of relevant studies published from 1966 to 1995.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies involving 3929 patients were selected. In two papers, the prognostic role of DIA was analysed in three and two different groups of patients, respectively. Overall, 16 groups of patients were evaluated. With 12 groups, a higher disease free survival was observed in patients developing DIA compared to those who did not. This difference was statistically significant in eight groups. Data on overall survival, reported in only five studies, indicated that it was always improved in patients who became amenorrheic.

CONCLUSIONS

Available data on the role of DIA support its importance as a favorable prognostic factor for early breast cancer patients. However, due to the possible biases of this type of evaluation, this result should be interpreted with caution.

Systemic adjuvant therapy of breast cancer

Systematic adjuvant therapy has improved the outcome for women with operable breast cancer. As a result, a substantial proportion of patients with this disease are candidates for adjuvant treatment. In providing a woman with recommendations for therapy, her risk of developing recurrent breast cancer needs to be assessed in relationship to the degree of benefit she will obtain from treatment. With the range of presently available treatments, an individualized approach is necessary to provide the patient with options appropriate for her own situation. For women with a high risk of recurrence despite current standard adjuvant therapies, innovative approaches with high dose chemotherapy followed by infusion of autologous hematopoietic stem cells and growth factors are being evaluated. Ongoing clinical trials will demonstrate whether or not these newer therapies result in a better outcome.