Kevin R. Fox, MD Medline search

16 Penn Tower
34th and Civic Center Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19104

215-662-7469
215-614-0077 fax

Research Program
Treatment of metastatic breast carcinoma

Program Summary
Pyridoglutethimide is a novel aromatase inhibitor which, by virtue of its unique structure, is incapable of inhibition of desmolase. This property permits the suppression of synthesis of adrenal sex steroids while permitting uninterrupted production of corticosteroids. This property thus differentiates pyridoglutethimide from aminoglutethimide, the latter being a commoniy used drug in the treatment of hormonally sensitive metastatic breast carcinoma The usefulness and toxicity of pyridoglutethimide is therefore under investigation both at the University of Pennsylvania and other institutions in a multi-institutional Phase II/III clinical trial of which Dr. Fox is Principal Investigator. This clinical trial examines 2 dose levels of pyridoglutethimide in patients with minimally treated metastatic breast carcinoma, while examining concurrent production of adrenal corticosteroids and sex steroids. Data to date have demonstrated suppression of estradiol production with maintenance of corticosteroid production as expected. Toxicities have been examined in detail and appear to be thought less severe than the related compound, aminoglutethimide. A multiinstitutional Phase III trial randomizing patients between pyridoglutethimide and megestrol acetate is being planned.