Use of Aromatase Inhibitors as First-and Second-Line Medical Therapy in Patients With Endometrial Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to examine the role of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) as first- or second-line medical treatment in women with endometrial adenocarcinoma who were not candidates for surgical management. The secondary objective was to examine the role of AIs in adjuvant and palliative treatment. MethodsThirty women with endometrial adenocarcinoma who were treated with aromatase inhibitors between 2000 and 2010 at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, Alberta were assessed in a retrospective analysis. Disease response was based on response evaluation criteria in solid tumours. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare non-parametric variables and Fisher exact test was used to compare the health variables. ResultsSeventeen patients received AIs as first- or second-line medical treatment, five received adjuvant therapy, and eight received palliative treatment. The median age of patients in the first or second line medical treatment group was significantly greater than that of patients in the adjuvant or palliative group (P = 0.042). There was no significant difference in median weight or body mass index. The subjective clinical response rate with medical treatment was 70%. In the first- or second-line medical treatment group, only seven patients had available response data. Our study showed stable disease in 5/7 (71%), partial response in 1/7 (14%), and progression in 1/7 (14%) patients. ConclusionThis retrospective clinical series examining use of an aromatase inhibitor as first- or second-line medical therapy in women with endometrial carcinoma showed that AIs are a potential treatment for patients who have a contraindication to surgery and who either have failed or cannot use megestrol therapy.