Hormonal treatment in recurrent and metastatic gynaecological cancers: A review of the current literature

Current Oncology Reports

Volumn 15, Issue 6, 2013, Pages 541-548

  Sommeijer, Dirkje W ^a,b   Sjoquist, Katrin M ^a,b,c   Friedlander, Michael ^a,b,d  

^a UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY   (Australia)

^b Medical Foundation Building   (Australia)

^c ST GEORGE HOSPITAL   (Australia)

^d PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL   (Australia)

Author keywords

Aromatase inhibitor; Endometrial cancer carcinoma; Endometrial leiomyosarcoma; Endometrial sarcoma; Endometrial stromal sarcoma; Germ cell tumour; Granulosa cell tumour; Gynaecological cancer; Hormonal treatment; Ovarian cancer carcinoma

Indexed keywords

AMINOGLUTETHIMIDE; ANASTROZOLE; AROMATASE INHIBITOR; CA 125 ANTIGEN; ESTROGEN RECEPTOR; GESTAGEN; GONADORELIN AGONIST; GOSERELIN; LETROZOLE; LEUPRORELIN; MEDROXYPROGESTERONE ACETATE; MEGESTROL ACETATE; PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR; TAMOXIFEN; TRIPTORELIN;

CANCER HORMONE THERAPY; CANCER PROGNOSIS; CANCER RECURRENCE; CANCER SURVIVAL; DRUG RESPONSE; ENDOMETRIUM CARCINOMA; ENDOMETRIUM SARCOMA; GRANULOSA CELL TUMOR; GYNECOLOGIC CANCER; HUMAN; METASTASIS; OVARY CANCER; OVARY CARCINOMA; PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIAL (TOPIC); PHASE 3 CLINICAL TRIAL (TOPIC); PROTEIN EXPRESSION; REVIEW;

ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS, HORMONAL; AROMATASE INHIBITORS; CARCINOMA; FEMALE; GENITAL NEOPLASMS, FEMALE; GRANULOSA CELL TUMOR; HUMANS; NEOPLASM RECURRENCE, LOCAL; SARCOMA;

EID: 84890104007     PISSN: 15233790     EISSN: 15346269     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1007/s11912-013-0343-3     Document Type: Review

References (77)

1. Decruze SB, Green JA. Hormone therapy in advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer: a systematic review. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2007;17(5):964-78.
2. • Modugno F, Laskey R, Smith AL, Andersen CL, Haluska P, Oesterreich S. Hormone response in ovarian cancer: time to reconsider as a clinical target? Endocr Relat Cancer. 2012;19(6):R255-79. This article gives a comprehensive overview of the role of hormones in the pathogenesis and treatment of ovarian cancer.
3. Ioffe YJ, Li AJ, Walsh CS, Karlan BY, Leuchter R, Forscher C, et al. Hormone receptor expression in uterine sarcomas: prognostic and therapeutic roles. Gynecol Oncol. 2009;115(3):466-71.
4. AlHilli MM, Long HJ, Podratz KC, Bakkum-Gamez JN. Aromatase inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent ovarian granulosa cell tumors: brief report and review of the literature. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2012;38(1):340-4.
5. Hardy RD, Bell JG, Nicely CJ, Reid GC. Hormonal treatment of a recurrent granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: case report and review of the literature. Gynecol Oncol. 2005;96(3):865-9.
6. • Altman AD, Nelson GS, Chu P, Nation J, Ghatage P. Uterine sarcoma and aromatase inhibitors: Tom Baker Cancer Centre experience and review of the literature. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2012;22(6):1006-12. This article gives an overview of experience with aromatase inhibitors and the rationale to use these drugs in patients with uterine sarcoma.
7. • Amant F, Coosemans A, Debiec-Rychter M, Timmerman D, Vergote I. Clinical management of uterine sarcomas. Lancet Oncol. 2009;10(12):1188-98. This article gives an overview of tumour biology of various types of uterine sarcomas and their recommended clinical management.
8. Williams C, Simera I, Bryant A. Tamoxifen for relapse of ovarian cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;17(3), CD001034.
9. Du Bois A, Meier W, Lück HJ, Emon G, Moebus V, Schroeder W, et al. Chemotherapy versus hormonal treatment in platinum- and paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer: a randomised trial of the German Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynaekologische Onkologie (AGO) Study Group Ovarian Cancer. Ann Oncol. 2002;13(2):251-7.
10. Hurteau JA, Brady MF, Darcy KM, McGuire WP, Edmonds P, Pearl ML, et al. Randomized phase III trial of tamoxifen versus thalidomide in women with biochemical-recurrent-only epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal carcinoma after a complete response to first-line platinum/taxane chemotherapy with an evaluation of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol. 2010;119(3):444-50.
11. Ahlgren JD, Ellison NM, Gottlieb RJ, Laluna F, Lokich JJ, Sinclair PR, et al. Hormonal palliation of chemoresistant ovarian cancer: three consecutive phase II trials of the Mid-Atlantic Oncology Program. J Clin Oncol. 1993;11(10):1957-68.
12. Veenhof CH, van der Burg ME, Nooy M, Aalders JG, Pecorelli S, Oliveira CF, et al. Phase II study of high-dose megestrol acetate in patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. Eur J Cancer. 1994;30A(5):697-8.
13. Wiernik PH, Greenwald ES, Ball H, Young JA, Vogl S. High-dose megestrol acetate in the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer who have undergone previous treatment: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group study PD884. Am J Clin Oncol. 1998;21(6):565-7.
14. Balbi G. Second-line therapy of advanced ovarian cancer with GnRH analogs. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2004;14(5):799-803.
15. Duffaud. D-TRP-6-LHRH (triptorelin) is not effective in ovarian carcinoma: an EORTC Gynaecological Cancer Co-operative Group study. Anticancer Drugs. 2001;12(2):159-62.
16. Marinaccio M, D'Addario V, Serrati A, Pinto V, Cagnazzo G. Leuprolide acetate as a salvage-therapy in relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer. Eur J Gynaecol Oncol. 1996;17(4):286-8.
17. Zidan J, Zohar S, Mijiritzky I, Kral S, Bilenca B. Treating relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer with luteinizing hormone-releasing agonist (goserelin) after failure of chemotherapy. Isr Med Assoc J. 2002;4(8):597-9.
18. Hasan J, Ton N, Mullamitha S, Clamp A, McNeilly A, Marshall E, et al. Phase II trial of tamoxifen and goserelin in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Br J Cancer. 2005;93(6):647-51.
19. Markman M. Tamoxifen in platinum-refractory ovarian cancer: a Gynecologic Oncology Group ancillary report. Gynecol Oncol. 1996;62(1):4-6.
20. Hatch KD, Beecham JB, Blessing JA, Creasman WT. Responsiveness of patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma to tamoxifen. A Gynecologic Oncology Group study of second-line therapy in 105 patients. Cancer. 1991;68(2):269-71.
21. Rugo HS. The breast cancer continuum in hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women: evolving management options focusing on aromatase inhibitors. Ann Oncol. 2008;19(1):16-27.
22. Aydiner A, Tas F. Meta-analysis of trials comparing anastrozole and tamoxifen for adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with early breast cancer. Trials. 2008;9:47.
23. Bowman A, Gabra H, Langdon SP, Lessells A, Stewart M, Young A, et al. CA125 response is associated with estrogen receptor expression in a phase II trial of letrozole in ovarian cancer: identification of an endocrine-sensitive subgroup. Clin Cancer Res. 2002;8(7):2233-9.
24. del Carmen MG. Phase II trial of anastrozole in women with asymptomatic Müllerian cancer. Gynecol Oncol. 2003;91(3):596-602.
25. Papadimitriou CA. Hormonal therapy with letrozole for relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer. Long-term results of a phase II study. Oncology. 2004;66(2):112-7.
26. Smyth JF, Gourley C, Walker G, MacKean MJ, Stevenson A, Williams ARW, et al. Antiestrogen therapy is active in selected ovarian cancer cases: the use of letrozole in estrogen receptor-positive patients. Clin Cancer Res. 2007;13(12):3617-22.
27. Ramirez PT, Schmeler KM, Milam MR, Slomovitz BM, Smith JA, Kavanagh JJ, et al. Efficacy of letrozole in the treatment of recurrent platinum- and taxane-resistant high-grade cancer of the ovary or peritoneum. Gynecol Oncol. 2008;110(1):56-9.
28. Schwartz PE, Keating G, MacLusky N, Naftolin F, Eisenfeld A. Tamoxifen therapy for advanced ovarian cancer. Obstet Gynecol. 1982;59(5):583-8.
29. Weiner SA, Alberts DS, Surwit EA, Davis J, Grosso D. Tamoxifen therapy in recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol. 1987;27(2):208-13.
30. Fujimura M, Hidaka T, Kataoka K, Yamakawa Y, Akada S, Teranishi A, et al. Absence of estrogen receptor-alpha expression in human ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma compared with ovarian serous, endometrioid, and mucinous adenocarcinoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 2001;25(5):667-72.
31. Hogdall EV, Christensen L, Hogdall CK, Blaakaer J, Gayther S, Jacobs IJ, et al. Prognostic value of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor tumor expression in Danish ovarian cancer patients: from the 'MALOVA' ovarian cancer study. Oncol Rep. 2007;18(5):1051-9.
32. Karaferic A, Jovanovic D, Jelic S. Expression of HER2/neu, estrogen and progesterone receptors, CA 125 and CA19-9 on cancer cell membrane in patients with serous and mucinous carcinoma of the ovary. J BUON. 2009;14(4):635-9.
33. Shafiee MN, Shan LP, Ahmad S, Idris N, Omar MH. The use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue in endometroid adenocarcinoma of the ovary: a case report and discussion. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2012;161(1):110-1.
34. Pan Y, Kao MS. Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma benefits from aromatase inhibitors: case report and literature review. Current Oncol. 2010 Nov;17(6):82-5.
35. Sieh W, Kobel M, Longacre TA, Bowtell DD, Defazio A, Goodman MT, et al. Hormone-receptor expression and ovarian cancer survival: an Ovarian Tumor Tissue Analysis Consortium study. Lancet Oncol. 2013;14(9):853-62.
36. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=335968.
37. Anagnostou VK, Welsh AW, Giltnane JM, Siddiqui S, Liceaga C, Gustavson M, et al. Analytic variability in immunohistochemistry biomarker studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19(4):982-91.
38. Jemal A, Bray F, Center MM, Ferlay J, Ward E, Forman D. Global cancer statistics. CA Cancer J Clin. 2011;61(2):69-90.
39. Singh M, Zaino RJ, Filiaci VJ, Leslie KK. Relationship of estrogen and progesterone receptors to clinical outcome in metastatic endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol. 2007;106(2):325-33.
40. Moore TD, Phillips PH, Nerenstone SR, Cheson BD. Systemic treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma: current status and future directions. J Clin Oncol. 1991;9(6):1071-88.
41. Kauppila A. Progestin therapy of endometrial, breast and ovarian carcinoma. A review of clinical observations. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 1984;63(5):441-50.
42. Lentz SS, Brady MF, Major FJ, Reid GC, Soper JT. High-dose megestrol acetate in advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. J Clin Oncol. 1996;14(2):357-61.
43. Fiorica JV. Phase II, trial of alternating courses of megestrol acetate and tamoxifen in advanced endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol. 2004;92(1):10-4.
44. Whitney CW, Brunetto VL, Zaino RJ, Lentz SS, Sorosky J, Armstrong DK, et al. Phase II study of medroxyprogesterone acetate plus tamoxifen in advanced endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol. 2004;92(1):4-9.
45. Thigpen T, Brady MF, Homesley HD, Soper JT, Bell J. Tamoxifen in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. J Clin Oncol. 2001;19(2):364-7.
46. Ma BB, Oza A, Eisenhauer E, Stanimir G, Carey M, Chapman W, et al. The activity of letrozole in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and correlation with biological markers - a study of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2004;14(4):650-8.
47. Rose PG, Brunetto VL, VanLe L, Bell J, Walker JL, Lee RB. A phase II trial of anastrozole in advanced recurrent or persistent endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol. 2000;78(2):212-6.
48. Kokka F, Brockbank E, Oram D, Gallagher C, Bryant A. Hormonal therapy in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;12, CD007926.
49. Singh M, Darcy KM, Brady WE, Clubwala R, Weber Z, Rittenbach JV, et al. Cadherins, catenins and cell cycle regulators: impact on survival in a Gynecologic Oncology Group phase II endometrial cancer trial. Gynecol Oncol. 2011;123(2):320-8.
50. Thigpen JT, Brady MF, Alvarez RD, Adelson MD, Homesley HD, Manetta A, et al. Oral medroxyprogesterone acetate in the treatment of advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma: a dose-response study by the Gynecologic Oncology Group. J Clin Oncol. 1999;17(6):1736.
51. Kamoi S, Ohaki Y, Mori O, Yamada T, Fukunaga M, Takeshita T. Determining best potential predictor during high-dose progestin therapy for early staged and well-differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma using semiquantitative analysis based on image processing and immunohistochemistry. J Nippon Med Sch. 2011;78(2):84-95.
52. Olah KS, Gee H, Blunt S, Dunn JA, Kelly K, Chan KK. Retrospective analysis of 318 cases of uterine sarcoma. Eur J Cancer. 1991;27(9):1095-9.
53. Trope CG, Abeler VM, Kristensen GB. Diagnosis and treatment of sarcoma of the uterus. A review. Acta Oncol. 2012;51(6):694-705.
54. Hendrickson MR, Tavassoli F, Kempson R, et al. Mesenchymal tumors of the uterus and related lesions. In: Tavassoli FA, Devilee P, editors. Pathology and genetics of tumours of the breast and female genital organs. World Health Organization classification of tumors. Lyon: IRAC; 2003. p. 233-44.
55. Thanopoulou E, Judson I. Hormonal therapy in gynecological sarcomas. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2012;12(7):885-94.
56. Dahhan T, Fons G, Buist MR, Ten Kate FJ, van der Velden J. The efficacy of hormonal treatment for residual or recurrent low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. A retrospective study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2009;144(1):80-4.
57. Sylvestre VT, Dunton CJ. Treatment of recurrent endometrial stromal sarcoma with letrozole: a case report and literature review. Horm Cancer. 2010;1(2):112-5.
58. Lim MC, Lee S, Seo SS. Megestrol acetate therapy for advanced low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Onkologie. 2010;33(5):260-2.
59. Garavaglia E, Pella F, Montoli S, Voci C, Taccagni G, Mangili G. Treatment of recurrent or metastatic low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: three case reports. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2010;20(7):1197-200.
60. Nakayama K, Ishikawa M, Nagai Y, Yaegashi N, Aoki Y, Miyazaki K. Prolonged long-term survival of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma patients with lung metastasis following treatment with medroxyprogesterone acetate. Int J Clin Oncol. 2010;15(2):179-83.
61. Mizuno M, Yatabe Y, Nawa A, Nakanishi T. Long-term medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Int J Clin Oncol. 2012;17(4):348-54.
62. Amant F, De Knijf A, Van Calster B, Leunen K, Neven P, Berteloot P, et al. Clinical study investigating the role of lymphadenectomy, surgical castration and adjuvant hormonal treatment in endometrial stromal sarcoma. Br J Cancer. 2007;97(9):1194-9.
63. http://www.eortc.be/protoc/details.asp?protocol=55112.
64. Tzakas E, Liu S, Todd RW, Redman CW. Hormonal therapy with letrozole prior to surgical management of recurrent metastatic low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS). J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009;29(8):778-9.
65. Alkasi O, Meinhold-Heerlein I, Zaki R, Fasching P, Maass N, Jonat W, et al. Long-term disease-free survival after hormonal therapy of a patient with recurrent low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: a case report. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2009;279(1):57-60.
66. Pautier P, Gutierrez-Bonnaire M, Rey A, Sillet-Bach I, Chevreau C, Kerbrat P, et al. Combination of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin for the treatment of advanced ovarian granulosa cell tumors. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2008;18(3):446-52.
67. Homesley HD, Bundy BN, Hurteau JA, Roth LM. Bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin combination therapy of ovarian granulosa cell tumors and other stromal malignancies: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study. Gynecol Oncol. 1999;72(2):131-7.
68. Pectasides D, Pectasides E, Psyrri A. Granulosa cell tumor of the ovary. Cancer Treat Rev. 2008;34(1):1-12.
69. Martikainen H, Penttinen J, Huhtaniemi I, Kauppila A. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist analog therapy effective in ovarian granulosa cell malignancy. Gynecol Oncol. 1989;35(3):406-8.
70. Malik ST, Slevin ML. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in advanced granulosa cell tumours of the ovary-a new therapeutic approach? Br J Cancer. 1991;63(3):410-1.
71. Kauppila A, Bangah M, Burger H, Martikainen H. GnRH agonist analog therapy in advanced/recurrent granulosa cell tumors: further evidence of a role of inhibin in monitoring response to treatment. Gynecol Endocrinol. 1992;6(4):271-4.
72. Isaacs R, Forgeson G, Allan S. Progestagens for granulosa cell tumours of the ovary. Br J Cancer. 1992;65(1):140.
73. Fishman A, Kudelka AP, Tresukosol D, Edwards CL, Freedman RS, Kaplan AL, et al. Leuprolide acetate for treating refractory or persistent ovarian granulosa cell tumor. J Reprod Med. 1996;41(6):393-6.
74. Briasoulis E, Karavasilis V, Pavlidis N. Megestrol activity in recurrent adult type granulosa cell tumour of the ovary. Ann Oncol. 1997;8(8):811-2.
75. Kim HJ, Lee SC, Bae SB, Kwon KW, Kim CK, Lee NS, et al. GnRH agonist therapy in a patient with recurrent ovarian granulosa cell tumors. J Korean Med Sci. 2009;24(3):535-8.
76. Abdul Munem A, Al-Bahrani B, Mehdi I, Kamona A, Nadas AM. Aromatase inhibitors-a viable option for recurrent granulosa cell tumour of ovary: overview and case report. J Paki Med Assoc. 2012;62(5):505-7.
77. Keskin S, Bengisu E, Tuzlali S, Aydiner A. Complete response in a patient with granulosa cell tumor treated with a combination of leuprolide and tamoxifen. Onkologie. 2012;35(7-8):451-3.