Currently Active Protocols in the EORTC Breast Cancer Cooperative Group

Since Jensen’s initial work in 1971 [1], many reports have confirmed the utility of estrogen receptor assays for predicting the results of endocrine treatments in advanced breast cancer (review article [2]). These assays, which can be performed either on the primary tumor or on metastases, are deemed to provide the clinician with a tool for measuring the degree of hormone dependence of the tumor. Accordingly, they could be used to select the most appropriate treatment either as palliation in advanced disease or as a prophylaxis against recurrence in stage II cases. We intend to review briefly the currently active protocols in the EORTC Breast Cancer Cooperative Group. We will focus in more detail on those which include endocrine therapy. The possible role of receptor assays in the design of these trials will be analyzed.