TY - JOUR
T1 - An Open, Randomised, Multicentre, Phase 3 Trial Comparing the Efficacy of Two Tamoxifen Schedules in Preventing Gynaecomastia Induced by Bicalutamide Monotherapy in Prostate Cancer Patients
AU - Bedognetti, Davide
AU - Rubagotti, Alessandra
AU - Conti, Giario
AU - Francesca, Francesco
AU - De Cobelli, Ottavio
AU - Canclini, Luca
AU - Gallucci, Michele
AU - Aragona, Francesco
AU - Di Tonno, Pasquale
AU - Cortellini, Pietro
AU - Martorana, Giuseppe
AU - Lapini, Alberto
AU - Boccardo, Francesco
PY - 2010/2
Y1 - 2010/2
N2 - Background: Bicalutamide monotherapy is a valuable option for prostate cancer (PCa) patients who wish to avoid the consequences of androgen deprivation; however, this treatment induces gynaecomastia and mastalgia in most patients. Tamoxifen is safe and effective in preventing breast events induced by bicalutamide monotherapy without affecting antitumor activity, but possible interference between bicalutamide and tamoxifen remains a matter of concern. To reduce the exposure to tamoxifen, we considered the putative advantages of weekly administration. Objective: To compare the efficacy of two different schedules of tamoxifen in preventing breast events. Toxicity, prostate-specific antigen behaviour, and sexual-functioning scores were also evaluated. Design, setting, and participants: This was a noninferiority trial. From December 2003 to February 2006, 80 patients with localised/locally advanced or biochemically recurrent PCa who were also candidates for bicalutamide single therapy were randomised to receive two different schedules of tamoxifen: daily (n = 41) and weekly (n = 39). Median follow-up was 24.2 mo. Intervention: Daily bicalutamide (150 mg) plus daily tamoxifen 20 mg continuously (daily group) or the same but with tamoxifen at 20 mg weekly after the first 8 wk of daily treatment (weekly group). Three patients in the weekly group and one in the daily group were discontinued for adverse events. Measurements: For gynaecomastia, we used ultrasonography. For mastalgia and sexual functioning, we used questionnaires. Results and limitations: Gynaecomastia developed in 31.7% of patients in the daily group and in 74.4% of patients in the weekly group (p <0.0001), and it was more severe in patients who switched to weekly tamoxifen (p = 0.001). Mastalgia occurred in 12.2% and 46.1% of patients, respectively (p = 0.001). There were no major differences among treatment schedules relative to sexual functioning scores and incidence and severity of adverse events. No differences between groups in PSA behaviour and disease progression have been detected so far. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that tamoxifen 20 mg/wk is inferior to tamoxifen 20 mg/d in preventing the incidence and severity of bicalutamide-induced breast events. The safety and efficacy of tamoxifen at the common daily dose of 20 mg for the prophylaxis of bicalutamide-induced breast events were confirmed.
AB - Background: Bicalutamide monotherapy is a valuable option for prostate cancer (PCa) patients who wish to avoid the consequences of androgen deprivation; however, this treatment induces gynaecomastia and mastalgia in most patients. Tamoxifen is safe and effective in preventing breast events induced by bicalutamide monotherapy without affecting antitumor activity, but possible interference between bicalutamide and tamoxifen remains a matter of concern. To reduce the exposure to tamoxifen, we considered the putative advantages of weekly administration. Objective: To compare the efficacy of two different schedules of tamoxifen in preventing breast events. Toxicity, prostate-specific antigen behaviour, and sexual-functioning scores were also evaluated. Design, setting, and participants: This was a noninferiority trial. From December 2003 to February 2006, 80 patients with localised/locally advanced or biochemically recurrent PCa who were also candidates for bicalutamide single therapy were randomised to receive two different schedules of tamoxifen: daily (n = 41) and weekly (n = 39). Median follow-up was 24.2 mo. Intervention: Daily bicalutamide (150 mg) plus daily tamoxifen 20 mg continuously (daily group) or the same but with tamoxifen at 20 mg weekly after the first 8 wk of daily treatment (weekly group). Three patients in the weekly group and one in the daily group were discontinued for adverse events. Measurements: For gynaecomastia, we used ultrasonography. For mastalgia and sexual functioning, we used questionnaires. Results and limitations: Gynaecomastia developed in 31.7% of patients in the daily group and in 74.4% of patients in the weekly group (p <0.0001), and it was more severe in patients who switched to weekly tamoxifen (p = 0.001). Mastalgia occurred in 12.2% and 46.1% of patients, respectively (p = 0.001). There were no major differences among treatment schedules relative to sexual functioning scores and incidence and severity of adverse events. No differences between groups in PSA behaviour and disease progression have been detected so far. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that tamoxifen 20 mg/wk is inferior to tamoxifen 20 mg/d in preventing the incidence and severity of bicalutamide-induced breast events. The safety and efficacy of tamoxifen at the common daily dose of 20 mg for the prophylaxis of bicalutamide-induced breast events were confirmed.
KW - Bicalutamide
KW - Gynaecomastia
KW - Mastalgia
KW - Prostate cancer
KW - Sexual functioning
KW - Tamoxifen
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=72149085457&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.05.019
DO - 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.05.019
M3 - Article
C2 - 19481335
AN - SCOPUS:72149085457
VL - 57
SP - 238
EP - 245
JO - European Urology
JF - European Urology
SN - 0302-2838
IS - 2
ER -