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Les renseignements du Formulaire de médicaments s’adressent aux professionnels de la santé. Il ne s’agit pas d’un avis médical. Certains des renseignements, y compris ceux sur le financement des médicaments anticancéreux, ne s’appliquent pas à tous les patients. Les plans de traitement du cancer sont propres à chaque patient. Si vous êtes un patient, veuillez parler avec votre équipe soignante pour comprendre comment ces renseignements s’appliquent à vous.

A - Regimen Name

GOSE Regimen
Goserelin


Disease Site
Breast


Intent
Adjuvant
Palliative

Regimen Category
Evidence-Informed :

Regimen is considered appropriate as part of the standard care of patients; meaningfully improves outcomes (survival, quality of life), tolerability or costs compared to alternatives (recommended by the Disease Site Team and national consensus body e.g. pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review, pCODR).  Recommendation is based on an appropriately conducted phase III clinical trial relevant to the Canadian context OR (where phase III trials are not feasible) an appropriately sized phase II trial. Regimens where one or more drugs are not approved by Health Canada for any indication will be identified under Rationale and Use.


Rationale and Uses

Management of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive early breast cancer with a high risk of recurrence or advanced breast cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women.


Supplementary Public Funding

goserelin
ODB - General Benefit (goserelin)

 
B - Drug Regimen

goserelin
3.6 mg Subcut Day 1, q4 weeks

or

goserelin
10.8 mg Subcut Day 1; q12 weeks
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C - Cycle Frequency

Repeat every 4 or 12 weeks, according to the Drug regimen section

Adjuvant: For the duration of chemotherapy and endocrine therapy

Palliative: Until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
 

 
D - Premedication and Supportive Measures

Antiemetic Regimen:

Not applicable

 
E - Dose Modifications

Doses should be modified according to the protocol by which the patient is being treated.
 

Dosage with toxicity

Dosage with myelosuppression: No adjustment required.



Hepatic Impairment

No adjustment required.


Renal Impairment

No adjustment required. (Although half-life is longer in patients with CrCl < 20 mL/min, it is not likely to cause drug accumulation.)


Dosage in the Elderly

No adjustment required.


 
F - Adverse Effects

Refer to goserelin drug monograph(s) for additional details of adverse effects.


Very common (≥ 50%)

Common (25-49%)

Less common (10-24%)

Uncommon (< 10%),

but may be severe or life-threatening

  • Hot flashes, other estrogen deprivation symptoms
n/a
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Tumour flare
  • Mood (or personality) changes
  • Hypertension
  • Cardiotoxicity
  • Arrhythmia, QT interval prolonged
  • Arterial / Venous thromboembolism
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Injection site / vascular injury
  • Pituitary hemorrhage
  • Glucose intolerance
  • Glaucoma
  • Osteoporosis
  • Renal failure
 
G - Interactions

Refer to goserelin drug monograph(s) for additional details.


  • Exercise caution when given with drugs that may prolong the QT interval

  • Suppression of pituitary-gonadal system by GnRH may interfere with diagnostic tests of pituitary-gonadal function.
     

 
H - Drug Administration and Special Precautions

Refer to goserelin drug monograph(s) for additional details.


Administration:

  • Subcutaneous injection of the depot into the anterior abdominal wall, below the navel line.
  • Injection usually given at the Cancer Centre or physician’s office. Drug supplied by outpatient prescription.
  • Should be administered by a healthcare professional experienced in administering deep subcutaneous injections under the supervision of a physician.
  • Store in original packaging between 2°C and 25°C.  Protect from light and moisture.


Contraindications:

  • Patients who have a hypersensitivity to this drug or any of its components
  • Patients with undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding


Other Warnings/Precautions:

  • Use with caution in patients with osteoporosis (or risk factors for osteoporosis), diabetes, risk factors for QT prolongation, history of depression, cardiovascular disease, or at risk of disease flare
  • Patients who experience anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid shock while on goserelin may require removal of the implant. If implant removal is necessary, it may be located by ultrasound.
  • Goserelin requires administration by deep subcutaneous injection. Use extra care in patients with low body mass (BMI <18.5) or in patients who are fully anticoagulated (INR >2).


Pregnancy and Lactation:

  • This regimen is contraindicated in pregnancy. Adequate contraception should be used by patients and their partners while on treatment and after the last treatment dose. Recommended methods and duration of contraception may differ depending on the treatment. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for more information.
  • Breastfeeding is contraindicated during this treatment and after the last treatment dose. Refer to the drug monograph(s) for recommendations after the last treatment dose (if applicable).
  • Fertility effects: Documented in animals
    • Fertility may be affected, but may be reversible.
 
I - Recommended Clinical Monitoring

Treating physicians may decide to monitor more or less frequently for individual patients but should always consider recommendations from the product monograph.
 

Recommended Clinical Monitoring

  • Blood glucose/HbA1c levels; baseline and periodical, especially in diabetic patients

  • EKG, Electrolytes, (including K, Ca, Mg); baseline and periodic for at risk patients

  • Clinical assessment of disease flare, local reactions, thromboembolism, cardiovascular effects, osteoporosis, psychiatric effects, hot flashes, signs of abdominal hemorrhage; at each visit

  • Grade toxicity using the current NCI-CTCAE (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events) version

Suggested Clinical Monitoring

  • Monitor bone lesions; periodic

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J - Administrative Information

Outpatient prescription; drug administration at Cancer Centre or physician's office


 
K - References

Goserelin drug monograph, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario).

Hackshaw A, Baum M, Fornander T, Nordenskjold B, Nicolucci A et al. Long-term effectiveness of adjuvant goserelin in premenopausal women with early breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2009 Mar 4;101(5):341-9.

Jonat W, Kaufmann M, Sauerbrei W, Blamey, R, Cuzick J. Goserelin Versus Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, and Fluorouracil as Adjuvant Therapy in Premenopausal Patients With Node-Positive Breast Cancer: The Zoladex Early Breast Cancer Research Association Study. J Clin Oncol. 2002 Dec 15; 20(24):4628-35. 

March 2026 Modified Rationale/uses, Drug Regimen, Cycle frequency and Pregnancy/lactation sections


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M - Disclaimer

Regimen Abstracts
A Regimen Abstract is an abbreviated version of a Regimen Monograph and contains only top level information on usage, dosing, schedule, cycle length and special notes (if available). It is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. It is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice, and all uses of the Regimen Abstract are subject to clinical judgment. Such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability, and Cancer Care Ontario disclaims all liability for the use of this information, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits that arise from such use.
Information in regimen abstracts is accurate to the extent of the ST-QBP regimen master listings, and has not undergone the full review process of a regimen monograph.  Full regimen monographs will be published for each ST-QBP regimen as they are developed.
Regimen Monographs
Refer to the New Drug Funding Program or Ontario Public Drug Programs websites for the most up-to-date public funding information.
The information set out in the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information (for health professionals) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended for healthcare providers and is to be used for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects of a particular drug, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition. The information in the Formulary is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.
The format and content of the drug monographs, regimen monographs, appendices and symptom management information contained in the Formulary will change as they are reviewed and revised on a periodic basis. The date of last revision will be visible on each page of the monograph and regimen. Since standards of usage are constantly evolving, it is advised that the Formulary not be used as the sole source of information. It is strongly recommended that original references or product monograph be consulted prior to using a chemotherapy regimen for the first time.
Some Formulary documents, such as the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets and symptom management information (for patients), are intended for patients. Patients should always consult with their healthcare provider if they have questions regarding any information set out in the Formulary documents.
While care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in the Formulary, such information is provided on an “as-is” basis, without any representation, warranty, or condition, whether express, or implied, statutory or otherwise, as to the information’s quality, accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability.
CCO and the Formulary’s content providers shall have no liability, whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special, or incidental, related to or arising from the information in the Formulary or its use thereof, whether based on breach of contract or tort (including negligence), and even if advised of the possibility thereof. Anyone using the information in the Formulary does so at his or her own risk, and by using such information, agrees to indemnify CCO and its content providers from any and all liability, loss, damages, costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) arising from such person’s use of the information in the Formulary.