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. 1990 Aug;62(2):275–276. doi: 10.1038/bjc.1990.276

Aromatase inhibition in advanced prostatic cancer: preliminary communication.

R J Shearer 1, J H Davies 1, M Dowsett 1, P R Malone 1, A Hedley 1, D Cunningham 1, R C Coombes 1
PMCID: PMC1971817  PMID: 2201397

Abstract

We report the results of the first use of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA, CGP 32349), in the palliation of patients with advanced, hormone resistant, prostatic cancer. Twelve of 19 patients (63%), who had relapsed following castration and other therapies, gained significant pain relief following weekly intramuscular injections of 4-OHA. Five patients (31%) experienced a transient 'tumour flare', represented by an increase in bone pain soon after commencing treatment. The mechanism of action of 4-OHA in palliating patients with advanced prostatic cancer is obscure at present, but may represent an important new treatment modality which may lead to greater insight into prostatic biology.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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