Endocrine Therapy Versus Chemotherapy as First Line Treatment in Metastatic Hormone Receptor Positive Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction:

The standard treatment of hormone receptor positive Her2 negative metastatic breast cancer is endocrine therapy with or without targeted therapy (e.g.CDK4/6inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors). Chemotherapy is indicated only in visceral crisis and the presence of visceral metastases is not indication for chemotherapy

Aim of study

1. The retrospective study aimed to characterize treatment and outcomes for patients with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer in Alexandria clinical oncology department to review change in treatment trend during the last 10 years.

2. Physician questionnaire to determine their preferences in choosing treatment.

Methods

1. Retrospective study using patient files of adult female diagnosed and treated at Clinical Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Department, Alexandria Main University Hospitals during the period from January 2010 to December 2019.

2. Physician questionnaire was done by physician recruitment via online survey & scientific meetings.

Results:

The study identified 611 women with hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer, median age was 50years, 48.9% were postmenopausal, 56.7% of hormone receptor positive, Her2 negative patients received chemotherapy as first line systemic treatment, 69.5% of these patients received chemotherapy as first line treatment in the first 5years. But, 48.8% of these patients received chemotherapy as first line in the last 5years and the study showed that median overall survival for all studied patients was 34 months.

In contrast, the physician questionnaire showed that 75% of physicians prefer endocrinal therapy as first line treatment for hormone receptor positive, Her2 negative metastatic breast cancer.

Conclusion:

There is significant change in practice pattern in choosing the first line treatment between the first and last 5 years. Also, there is a discrepancy between practice pattern and physician preferences in choosing the first line systemic treatment for hormone receptor positive, Her2 negative metastatic breast cancer. The reason is the unavailability of most targeted agents (e.g; CDK4/6 inhibitors and mTOR inhibitors) and some hormonal agents such as fulvestrant.