Title:Immunotherapy and Hormone-therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Review and an Update
Volume: 17
Issue: 10
Author(s): Andrea Nicolini, Angelo Carpi, Paola Ferrari, Pier Mario Biava and Giuseppe Rossi
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Breast cancer, cytokines, distant metastases, hormone therapy, immunotherapy.
Abstract: Historically, antiestrogen is the first targeted therapy used in breast cancer treatment. In
fact, its rationale lies in the molecular pathways elucidated by basic research. In estrogen receptor
(ER)-alpha positive metastatic breast cancer patients, hormone-therapy remains the first option of
treatment. While tamoxifen concomitant with suppression of ovarian function with luteinizing hormone
releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists is the standard first line treatment in premenopausal, third
generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the first line standard hormone therapy in postmenopausal. However, the development
of acquired resistance during antiestrogen therapy continues to be a central clinical problem. This review provides
an update on the antiestrogen action and report on immunological treatment of the advanced disease by some cytokines.
Interleukin-2, interleukin-12 and interferons used alone or in combination demonstrated an anti-tumor action directly
and/or through synergism with antiestrogens. A rationale for the addition of interferon-beta and interleukin-2 to antiestrogens
is described. Furthermore, we summarize and interpret the clinical and laboratory data of a recent long-term hormone-
immunotherapy study in metastatic endocrine dependent breast cancer patients. Prospective randomized trials are
necessary to confirm some recent promising results based on an immunological approach in addition to antiestrogens to
overcome or delay acquired hormone resistance.
