Drug strategies in the treatment of hormone-dependent tumors in Mato Grosso, Brazil

Keywords

hormone therapy - neoplasms - hormone-dependent - pharmacotherapy - breast neoplasms - prostatic neoplasms

Introduction: Hormone therapy is a strategy for hormone-dependent neoplasms treatment, which aims to control or inhibit the action of hormone receptor proteins in tumor cells. This treatment reduces the rate of tumor growth and the risk of associated complications.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the drug therapeutic strategies used to treat hormone-dependent tumors in the Mato Grosso region.

Methods: The research adopted a cross-sectional, descriptive and quantitative epidemiological design. The analysis was performed based on data from medical records of patients undergoing cancer treatment at the Hospital Regional de Cáceres Dr. Antônio Fontes, in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The data collection period was from September 22 to December 8, 2023. The collected data were processed using Excel 2012.

Results: Among the 319 medical records analyzed, 172 patients were undergoing hormone therapy, 66 with breast cancer and 106 with prostate cancer. In the breast cancer group, 63.6% of patients were using Tamoxifen Citrate, 39.4% were using Anastrozole and 1.5% were being treated with Fulvestrant. In the prostate cancer group, 96.2% were using Leuprorelin Acetate, 9.4% were using Flutamide, 1.9% were being treated with Goserelin Acetate and 0.9% were using Bicalutamide.

Conclusion: Data analysis showed a predominance of Tamoxifen Citrate use among patients with breast cancer (63.6%) and Leuprolide Acetate among patients with prostate cancer (96.2%). These therapeutic choices are in line with established clinical guidelines for the treatment of hormone-dependent neoplasms, reflecting significant adherence to recommended practices. In the treatment of breast cancer, Tamoxifen Citrate, an estrogen receptor antagonist, is widely used, as is Anastrozole, an aromatase inhibitor. The lower use of Fulvestrant suggests a preference for treatments with greater clinical efficacy or more consolidated treatments. In the treatment of prostate cancer, the prevalence of Leuprolide Acetate, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, highlights the importance of effective hormonal suppression. The lower use of Flutamide, Bicalutamide and Goserelin Acetate suggests a preference for therapies that provide more continuous and efficient hormonal suppression. This study provides an in-depth insight into treatment profiles in the region and may contribute to optimizing therapeutic strategies, improving the management of patients with hormone-dependent cancer.

Corresponding author: Maria Eduarda Contreras (e-mail: [e-mail]).