Endocrine Therapy in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) New Insights in an Old Target: A Mini Review

Abstract

Introduction: Endocrine therapy with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors has been used in Estrogen Receptor (ER) positive breast cancer for decades. Epithelial ovarian cancer, in particular serous Low- and High Grade Subtypes (LGSOC, HGSOC), shows a similar high ER expression and represents therefore a potential target for endocrine therapy. Many treatments have been evaluated in phase II clinical trials in heavily pretended patients, but the overall tumor response and agent superiority (tamoxifen vs. aromatase inhibitors) remains unclear. Methods: We present a literature review of endocrine therapy for ovarian cancer and emphasize the role of endocrine maintenance therapy with letrozole after standard of care. Results: Endocrine therapy appears to be an eligible and cost effective treatment option with good quality of life in the adjuvant and recurrent treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. The trend shows the highest effect in histological subtypes with the highest ER expression (LGSOC and HGSOC).