Henry J. Tagnon

Enzymes in Clinical Medicine

5-Nucleotidase This enzyme is a phosphatase that specifically hydrolyzes nucleotides having a phosphate radical attached to the 5 position of the pentose, such as adenosine-5-phosphate and inosine-...

Le Traitement Hormonal Du Cancer Du Sein En Phase Avancee. Méthodes détude : Comparaison de la Delta-1 -Testololactone avec le Propionate de Testostérone*

SummaryThe authors describe and comment the protocol of the European disseminated breast cancer Group. This protocol was followed to compare the efficacy of the treatment with testosterone propionate to the treatment with delta-i-tcsto- lolactone, a new compound devoid of virilizing properties, although of a formula similar to androgens. There were 9 regressions, according to the criteria, among 59 patients treated with delta-i-testololactone and 8 regressions among 49 patients treated with testosterone propionate.

Problems in the Treatment of Disseminated Cancer of the Breast: Selection of Patients for Hormone Treatment

The treatment of disseminated breast cancer consists first of modification of the hormonal environment of the patient. This can be done either by hormonal deprivation — oophorectomy, adrenalectomy, or hypophysectomy — or by the administration of hormones, usually steroids, androgens, estrogens, and corticosteroids. Only when these therapeutic measures have failed is it advisable to have recourse to non-hormonal cytotoxic agents, such as the alkylating drugs and 5-fluorouracil. One exception to this rule may be the group of patients less than one year postmenopausal. These are notoriously resistant to hormonal manipulation, whether surgical (hormonal deprivation) or medical (hormonal administration). This is why a clinical investigation is now being conducted with the aim of discovering whether the use of 5-fluorouracil or of some alkylating agent should precede hormone treatment in this particular group of patients, as the only exception to the general rule.