Clinical Studies Investigating the Use of Leuprorelin in Breast Cancer Patients from Asia

Han, Wonshik; Youn, Hyun Jo

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.5.1475

Clinical Studies Investigating the Use of Leuprorelin in Breast Cancer Patients from Asia

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

Wonshik Han ¹
Hyun Jo Youn ²

¹ Department of Surgery and Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Republic of Korea.

² Department of Surgery, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University and Biomedical Research Institute, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Republic of Korea.

10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.5.1475

Abstract

Leuprorelin is a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring gonadotropin-releasing hormone. It is currently approved
in the United States, Europe and Asia and has indications in advanced prostate cancer, endometriosis, breast cancer and
precocious puberty. This review examined clinical trials of leuprorelin in women with breast cancer in Asia. Methods:
Four studies were identified, involving 999 premenopausal females with breast cancer. Leuprorelin was administered
subcutaneously at doses of 3.75 mg every 4 weeks, 11.25 mg every 12 weeks or 22.5 mg every 24 weeks in addition
to either adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy. Results: Leuprorelin was shown to preserve ovarian function,
reduce symptoms of ovarian failure, the occurrence of early menopause, and the time to resumption of menses.
Leuprorelin-related adverse events included hot flush, mood swings and urogenital symptoms. Conclusion: Clinical
studies in breast cancer patients from Asia have primarily investigated the effect of leuprorelin on the protection of
ovarian function in patients who receive chemotherapy, assessed the ability of leuprorelin to suppress serum estradiol
to menopausal levels, or to determine the efficacy and safety of leuprorelin in daily medical practice.

Keywords