Leuprorelin is a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring gonadotropin-releasing hormone. It is currently approved in the United States, Europe and Asia and has indications in advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis, breast cancer and precocious puberty. This review examined clinical trials of leuprorelin in women with breast cancer in Asia. Methods: Four studies were identified, involving 999 premenopausal females with breast cancer. Leuprorelin was administered subcutaneously at doses of 3.75 mg every 4 weeks, 11.25 mg every 12 weeks or 22.5 mg every 24 weeks in addition to either adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Results: Leuprorelin was shown to preserve ovarian function, reduce symptoms of ovarian failure, the occurrence of early menopause, and the time to resumption of menses. Leuprorelin-related adverse events included hot flush, mood swings and urogenital symptoms. Conclusion: Clinical studies in breast cancer patients from Asia have primarily investigated the effect of leuprorelin on the protection of ovarian function in patients who receive chemotherapy, assessed the ability of leuprorelin to suppress serum estradiol to menopausal levels, or to determine the efficacy and safety of leuprorelin in daily medical practice.
Keywords: Breast neoplasms; menopause; premenopause; leuprolide; fertility.
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