Table 3 Duration of neoadjuvant endocrine therapy

Rusz et al. 2015 [29]

12

Letrozole 2.5

1. pCR: 14.3% operated cases; 13% overall

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 88%

3. BCS: 45%

Clinical palpation every 3 months. Imaging as necessary.

Carpenter et al. 2014 [30]

Up to 12

Letrozole 2.5

1. pCR: not reported.

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 85% (3.2% CR and 81.5% PR)

3. BCS: 66% at 12 months (all ineligible at baseline)

Clinical examination and bimodal ultrasound every 2 months until BCS.

Allevi et al. 2013 [27]

Randomized to 4, 8, or 12

Letrozole 2.5

1. pCR: 2.5% 4 months; 5% 8 months and 17.5% 12 months.

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 45% 4 months; 86.8% 8 months; 95% 12 months.

3. BCS: 80% 4 months; 85% 8 months; 87.5% 12 months.

Monthly clinical palpation (caliper). Mammography and ultrasound at baseline and before surgery.

Llombart-Cussac et al. 2012 [73]

3 to 12

Letrozole 2.5

1. pCR: 0%

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 76.8% (25% CR and 51.8% PR)

3. BCS: 43%

Monthly clinical examination. Mammogram and ultrasound every 8 weeks for first 4 months.

Dixon et al. 2009 [71]

3 to > 24 months

Letrozole 2.5

1. pCR: NR.

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 69.8% 3 months; 83.5% > 3 months.

3. BCS: 60% 3 months; 72% > 3 months.

Clinical measurement and ultrasound at 0, 2, 6, and 12 weeks. Mammogram at 0 and 12 weeks. 3 monthly review thereafter.

Krainick-Strobel et al. 2008 [72]

4 to 8

Letrozole 2.5

1. pCR: NR.

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 55% 4 months; 72.4% 8 months.

3. BCS: 75.9% (all ineligible at baseline)

Monthly clinical examination, ultrasound and mammogram.

TEAM IIA Fontein et al. 2014 [70]

3 to 6

Exemestane 25

1. pCR: 0.98%

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 58.7% 3 months; 68.3% > 3 months (p = 0.031).

3. BCS: feasibility improved 61.8% to 70.6%.

Monthly clinical palpation.

3 monthly MRI, mammogram or ultrasound.

PTEX46 Hojo et al. 2013 [76]

4 or 6

Exemestane 25

1. pCR: 0% 4 months; 4% 6 months.

2. ORR (clinical palpation): 42.3% 4 months; 48% 6 months (p = 0.89).

3. BCS: 50% 4 months; 48% 6 months.

Monthly caliper measurement and toxicity assessment. Ultrasound and mammogram if progression suspected.