Combined androgen blockade in androgen receptor-positive salivary gland carcinoma
Hormone therapy of the kind used in prostate cancer shrank or controlled tumours in most patients with androgen receptor-positive salivary duct carcinoma, a treatment with far less toxicity than chemotherapy.
Overview
Prospective phase 2 study of 36 patients with androgen receptor-positive locally advanced or metastatic salivary gland carcinoma (predominantly salivary duct carcinoma) treated with leuprorelin and bicalutamide.
Objective response was 41.7 percent with a clinical benefit rate of 75 percent, median progression-free survival 8.8 months and median overall survival 30.5 months, and toxicity was mild.
- Objective response 41.7 percent; clinical benefit 75 percent.
- Median progression-free survival 8.8 months; median overall survival 30.5 months.
Androgen receptor testing and androgen deprivation therapy are now standard options for salivary duct carcinoma, often before chemotherapy in slowly progressing disease.
- Small single-arm trial; a subsequent randomised comparison with chemotherapy showed similar efficacy with less toxicity.