Antiandrogen therapy in metastatic male breast cancer: results from an updated analysis in an expanded case series

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2014 Nov;148(1):73-80. doi: 10.1007/s10549-014-3138-9. Epub 2014 Sep 20.

Abstract

Male breast cancer is a rare disease treated as hormone receptor-positive female breast cancer. The characterization of breast cancer at the molecular level has lately revealed gender-related differences. As the androgen receptor is emerging as a potential oncogenic driver in male breast cancer, we analyzed efficacy data from metastatic patients treated with antiandrogens. We evaluated the activity of cyproterone acetate, either as a monotherapy or combined with a GnRH analog, in 36 metastatic male breast cancer patients. Fourteen patients were treated with cyproterone acetate as monotherapy and 22 patients with complete androgen blockade. We recorded 4 complete responses and 15 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 52.8 % (95 % CI, 36.5-69.4). Stable disease was reported in 11 patients. Median PFS was 8.9 months (95 % CI, 6.1-11.7), and median OS was 24.3 months (95 % CI, 22.5-26.1). Data on androgen receptor expression were available for 7 patients. All the 4 patients with androgen receptor-expressing tumors had a clinical benefit, including a patient with an estrogen receptor-negative disease. Conversely, none of the 3 patients with androgen receptor-negative tumors had a tumor response. Antiandrogen-based therapy showed efficacy in metastatic male breast cancer patients. Our results encourage considering antiandrogens in the therapeutic continuum, especially if supported by androgen receptor expression.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms, Male / mortality
  • Cyproterone Acetate / therapeutic use*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Androgen / biosynthesis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Cyproterone Acetate