Hormonal treatment of unresectable pancreatic cancer with LHRH analogue (goserelin)

Eur J Surg Oncol. 1992 Jun;18(3):267-71.

Abstract

Recently non-controlled clinical trials reported encouraging results using a suppressive endocrine treatment in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. In this study 15 patients were given an LHRH analogue every 4 weeks (goserelin 3.6 mg), while 18 patients with advanced stage pancreatic carcinoma were given only symptomatic therapy. All patients treated with goserelin had sexual hormone suppression. Follow-up included abdominal ultrasound or computed tomography scan every 3 months; Ca 19-9 assay and routine laboratory blood tests were performed every month. No partial or complete response, no performance status or Ca 19-9 level changes were found. No significant difference in survival was seen in the two groups of patients. This study suggests that goserelin is unlikely to have a major influence on the survival of patients with advanced pancreatic carcinoma and casts further doubt upon the hormone-dependence of this neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / blood
  • Buserelin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Buserelin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / blood
  • Gonadotropins, Pituitary / blood
  • Goserelin
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / blood
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Gonadotropins, Pituitary
  • Goserelin
  • Buserelin