Five-year changes in ovarian function restoration in premenopausal patients with breast cancer taking tamoxifen after chemotherapy: An ASTRRA study report. (July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kim, Hee J.; Noh, Woo C.; Nam, Seok J.; Park, Byeong-Woo; Lee, Eun S.; Im, Seock A.; Jung, Yong S.; Yoon, Jung H.; Kang, Sung S.; Park, Kyong H.; Lee, Soo-Jung; Jeong, Joon; Lee, Min H.; Cho, Se H.; Kim, Sung Y.; Kim, Hyun-Ah; Han, Se-Hwan; Han, Wonshik; Hur, Min H.; Kim, Seonok; Ahn, Sei H.
• Is Part Of: European journal of cancer. Volume 151(2021)
• Page Start: 190
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2021-07
• Subjects: Chemotherapy -- Tamoxifen -- Ovarian function -- Menstruation -- FSH -- E2; Cancer -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Périodiques; Cancer; Tumors; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2021.03.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-8049

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Adding ovarian function suppression (OFS) after chemotherapy improves survival in young women with moderate- and high-risk breast cancer. Assessment of ovarian function restoration after chemotherapy becomes critical for subsequent endocrine treatment and addressing fertility issues. Patients and methods: In the adding OFS after chemotherapy trial, patients who resumed ovarian function up to 2 years after chemotherapy were randomised to receive either 5 years of tamoxifen or adding 2 years of OFS with tamoxifen. Ovarian function was evaluated from enrolment to randomisation, and patients who did not randomise because of amenorrhoea for 2 years received tamoxifen and were followed up for 5 years. Prospectively collected consecutive hormone levels (proportion of patients with premenopausal follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] levels <30 mIU/mL and oestradiol [E2] levels ≥40 pg/mL) and history of menstruation were available for 1067 patients with breast cancer. Results: Over 5 years of tamoxifen treatment, 69% of patients resumed menstruation and 98% and 74% of patients satisfied predefined ovarian function restoration as per serum FSH and E2 levels, respectively. Menstruation was restored in 91% of patients younger than 35 years at baseline, but in only 33% of 45-year-old patients over 5 years. Among these patients, 41% experienced menstruation restoration within 2 years after chemotherapy and 28% slowly restored menstruation after 2–5 years. Younger age (<35 years) at baseline, anthracycline without taxanes and ≤90 days of chemotherapy were predictors of menstruation restoration. Conclusions: During 5 years of tamoxifen treatment after chemotherapy, two-thirds of the patients experienced menstruation restoration, especially patients younger than 35 years. Young age, Adriamycin without taxanes and short duration of chemotherapy appeared to have a positive effect on ovarian reserves in the long term. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00912548 . Highlights: Over 5 years after chemotherapy, 69% resumed menstruation, especially under 35. Two-thirds experienced menstruation restoration within 2 years after chemotherapy. Young age, adriamycine without taxane had a positive effect on ovarian reserves.