Megestrol acetate therapy for advanced breast cancer.

Abstract

One hundred twenty-four patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with 40 mg of megestrol acetate four times daily. Complete responses (CR) or partial responses (PR) were seen in 29 patients (23%). CR, PR, or stable disease (S) was seen in 80 patients (65%). The median duration of response was 22 months for CR and PR and ten months for S. A significantly higher response rate (CR + PR) was seen in estrogen-receptor-positive (ER-positive) patients (26%) and in patients who had not received prior therapy (39%). A significant relationship to response could not be established for menopausal status, progesterone-receptor (PrR) status, dominant site of disease, or prior administration of chemotherapy. Median survival was 66+ months for responders, 35 months for patients with stable disease, and 9 months for nonresponders. These differences are all statistically significant (P less than .001). Toxicity was minimal, and side effects consisted primarily of weight gain, which was seen in 18 patients (14.5%). Megestrol acetate can provide effective palliation in patients with advanced breast cancer.

Oesophageal cancer and cachexia: the effect of short‐term treatment with thalidomide on weight loss and lean body mass

“…Trials using appetite stimulants, such as megesterol acetate, have shown an increase in adipose body weight. 7 Corticosteroids have been shown to improve appetite, food intake, well-being and performance status in a number of trials. 8 None of these studies showed any weight gain.…”

Megestrol Acetate in Cancer Patients with Anorexia and Weight Loss a Hellenic co-operative oncology group (HeCOG) study

“…increase in appetite and body weight in patients with breast cancer receiving MA at the usual dose (160 mg daily) has been noted as a collateral effect in up to 30% of patients ( 5 ) ; rapid weight gain and increase in appetite were observed when increasing the daily dose of the drug to 480 mg daily (6). Such an effect at different dose levels has been observed also with other gestagens (7).…”

Einfluss einer adjuvanten Hormontherapie auf den Gesamtorganismus der Frau: Nutzen versus potentieller Schaden

“…Unter Gestagentherapie kommt es vor allem zu einer deutlichen und von Patientinnen oft als unangenehm empfundenen Gewichtszunahme [13]. Gewichtszunahme und Ödembildungen werden unter Gestagentherapie weit häu-figer beschrieben als unter Anastrozoltherapie (Abb.…”