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Tamoxifen + nandrolone decanoate does not outdo tamoxifen alone

There was no significant difference in response between 51 women aged> 70 years with localised breast cancer who received tamoxifen 40 mg/day and 1M nandrolone decanoate (100 mg/week for 3 months followed by a 4-week break), compared with matched controls who were treated with tamoxifen alone. Only 4 patients received nandrolone decanoate for> I year.

One year after starting treatment, 60% of combination therapy recipients and 47% of tamoxifen monotherapy recipients showed a complete response (NS). After 3 years, 40% of patients in each group were responsive to treatment.

Nandrolone decanoate caused adverse effects (including voice hoarseness, hirsutism and ankle oedema) in 42% of patients, 3 of whom required withdrawal of treatment. There were no significant adverse effects attributable to tamoxifen.

'We conclude that there is no ad,antage in adding nandrolone decanoate to tamoxi/en for primary treatment of breast carcinoma in the elderly. Nandrolone decanoate may still have a role in the treatment of patients who fail to respond to tamoxi/en.' Pain JA. Wickrcmcsinghc SS. Bradbeer JW. Combined tamoxifen and anabolic steroid as therapy for breast carcinoma in the elderly. European Journal of Surgical Oncology 16: 225-228. Jun 1990 .. "

17 No, 1990 INPHARMA® ISSN OJS6.270J/90/11l7-0008/0S01.00/0 ~ AdiJ International Ltd