Revisiting adjuvant ovarian suppression in premenopausal breast cancer patients

Indian J Cancer. 2019 Oct-Dec;56(4):293-296. doi: 10.4103/ijc.IJC_697_18.

Abstract

Adjuvant ovarian suppression, on addition to chemotherapy, reduces the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women after surgery and adjuvant hormonal therapy. Suppression of Ovarian Function Trial (SOFT) and Tamoxifen and Exemestane Trial (TEXT) showed greater benefit with exemestane in high risk females in comparison to Tamoxifen. Ovarian Function Suppression (OFS) and exemestane became the standard of care, with 30% patients experiencing grade 3 and more side effects. Much higher benefit was seen in high risk group. But there are concerns about incomplete OFS (estrogen escape) with exemestane plus OFS. Updated analysis of TEXT AND SOFT showed better survival benefit with OFS plus Tamoxifen as compared to OFS plus exemestane. Overall survival is a better end point. Should preference be given to Tamoxifen over exemestane? Further research is required to get the final answer.

Keywords: Adjuvant ovarian suppression; adjuvant treatment; ovarian suppression; premenopausal breast cancer treatment; premenopausal high risk breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Androstadienes / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovary / drug effects*
  • Ovary / physiology
  • Premenopause
  • Quality of Life
  • Risk
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Androstadienes
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen
  • exemestane