Tamoxifen for one year versus two years versus 6 months of Tamoxifen and 6 months of megestrol acetate: a randomized comparison in postmenopausal patients with high-risk breast cancer (DBCG 89C)

Acta Oncol. 2008;47(4):718-24. doi: 10.1080/02841860802014882.

Abstract

From January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1994, DBCG conducted a randomised trial in 1 615 postmenopausal women with operable, high-risk, receptor-positive or -unknown breast cancer. The patients were after surgery randomised to Tamoxifen for 1 year (TAM1), Tamoxifen for 2 years (TAM 2) or Tamoxifen for 6 months followed by megestrol acetate for 6 months (TAM/MA). When the preplanned sample size of 1 500 patients was reached it was decided to continue randomisation to TAM1 or TAM2 and the study was finally closed December 31, 1996. With a median follow-up of more than 10 years, there was no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) among the three treatment arms. Similar results were obtained in the original and extended comparisons of Tamoxifen for 1 versus 2 years. A multivariate analysis in the per-protocol treated patients did not show significant differences in hazard ratios for DFS or OS among the three arms. Side-effects were rare but more common in the TAM2 and TAM/MA arms.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / radiotherapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / surgery
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mastectomy, Segmental
  • Megestrol Acetate / administration & dosage
  • Megestrol Acetate / adverse effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Postmenopause
  • Risk Factors
  • Survival Rate
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage*
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Tamoxifen
  • Megestrol Acetate