Clinical trial NCT01573442
Conditions: Arthralgia Breast Cancer Hot Flashes Musculoskeletal Complications Sexual Dysfunction
Keywords: hot flashes musculoskeletal complications sexual dysfunction estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer progesterone receptor-positive breast cancer arthralgia stage IA breast cancer stage IB breast cancer stage II breast cancer stage IIIA breast cancer stage IIIB breast cancer stage IIIC breast cancer
Sponsor: Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Start date: 2013-09-10; Completion date: 2019-09-01
Enrollment: 227 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
This randomized phase III trial studies testosterone to see how well it works compared to placebo in treating postmenopausal patients with arthralgia (joint pain) caused by anastrozole or letrozole. Testosterone may help relieve moderate or severe arthralgia associated with the use of aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole or letrozole.

Detailed description:
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial evaluating subcutaneous testosterone for the alleviation of aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgia. A parallel group design will be utilized for this two-arm study: subcutaneous testosterone vs. placebo. Patients are stratified according to baseline pain score (5-6 vs. 7-10) and age (\< 50 vs. 50-60 vs. \> 60). The primary objective is to determine whether testosterone will reduce AI-induced arthralgia and associated joint symptoms. The secondary objective is to explore whether testosterone will have an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, with particular reference to androgenic adverse events including acne, hirsutism, and alopecia.

Patients are followed up to six months as defined in the protocol.

Arms: arm 1: Patients receive testosterone (0.264mL) topical application daily for six months. arm 2: Patients receive placebo (0.264mL) topical application daily for six months.
Interventions: intervention 1: testosterone intervention 2: placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 10.4 mg intervention 2: None

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_ICF_000.pdf: 
 
1 
NCI Version Date: 10/09/2018  
 
Update #6 
A221102 
 
ALLIANCE FOR CLINICAL TRIALS IN ONCOLOGY  
 
Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study of Testosterone in the Adjuvant Treatment of 
Postmenopausal Women with Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Arthralgias 
 
 
 
Study Chairs:   
Charles L. Loprinzi, M.D.  (Research Base)* 
Mayo Clinic 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
   
  
  
       
  
 
  
  
 
 
Study Co-chair:  
 
 
   
 
Statistician:  
 
           
 
  
 
 
 
Drug Availability  
Supplied Agent:  Testosterone IND #114707 (Alliance) 
 
*Investigator having NCI responsibility for this protocol 
√ Study contributor(s) not responsible for patient care. 
 
 
 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01573442 
 
Participating NCTN Organizations 
Alliance/ Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology (lead) 
ECOG-ACRIN/ ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group 
NRG/ NRG Oncology 
 
SWOG/ SWOG 
 
 
 


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Update #6 
Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) 
Contact Information 
For regulatory requirements: 
For patient enrollments: 
For Study data submission 
Regulatory documentation must 
be submitted to the CTSU via 
the Regulatory Submission 
Portal. 
Regulatory Submission Portal: 
(Sign in at www.ctsu.org, and 
select the Regulatory 
Submission sub-tab under the 
Regulatory tab.)  
 
Institutions with patients waiting 
that are unable to use the Portal 
should alert the CTSU 
Regulatory Office immediately 
at 
 to receive 
further instruction and support. 
 
Contact the CTSU Regulatory 
Help Desk at 
 
for regulatory assistance 
Please refer to the patient 
enrollment 
section 
of 
the 
protocol for instructions on using 
the Oncology Patient Enrollment 
Network (OPEN) which can be 
accessed 
at 
https://www.ctsu.org/OPEN_SY
STEM/ 
or 
https://OPEN.ctsu.org. 
 
Contact the CTSU Help Desk 
with any OPEN-related 
questions at 
 
Legacy NCCTG sites will submit 
electronic CRFs via:  
NCCTG Remote Data Entry 
System. 
 
Sites not previously affiliated 
with NCCTG will submit paper 
CRFs to: 
Alliance Statistics and Data 
Center 
Attention:
 
 
 
 
Do not submit study data or 
forms to CTSU Data Operations. 
Do not copy the CTSU on data 
submissions.   
The most current version of the study protocol and all supporting documents must be downloaded 
from the protocol-specific Web page of the CTSU Member Web site located at https://www.ctsu.org.  
Access to the CTSU members’ website is managed through the Cancer Therapy and Evaluation 
Program - Identity and Access Management (CTEP-IAM) registration system and requires user log on 
with CTEP-IAM username and password. Permission to view and download this protocol and its 
supporting documents is restricted and is based on person and site roster assignment housed in the 
CTSU RSS.   
 
For clinical questions (i.e. patient eligibility or treatment-related) Contact the Research Base 
Quality Assurance Specialist (listed in Protocol Resources table on next page). 
For non-clinical questions (i.e. unrelated to patient eligibility, treatment, or clinical data 
submission) contact the CTSU Help Desk by phone or e-mail:  
CTSU General Information Line – 
, or 
.  All calls and 
correspondence will be triaged to the appropriate CTSU representative. 
The CTSU Website is located at https://www.ctsu.org. 
 
 
 
 


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Update #6 
Protocol Resources 
 
Expedited Adverse Event Reporting 
https://eapps-ctep.nci.nih.gov/ctepaers/ 
OPEN (Oncology Patient Enrollment Network) 
https://open.ctsu.org 
Biospecimen Management System 
http://bioms.allianceforclinicaltrialsinoncology.org 
Questions: 
Contact Name: 
Patient eligibility*, test schedule,  
treatment delays/interruptions/adjustments,  
dose modifications, adverse events, forms 
completion and submission 
 
 
 
  
 
Drug administration, infusion pumps, nursing 
guidelines 
 
 
 
 
Forms completion and submission 
 
 
 
Protocol document, consent form, 
Regulatory issues 
 
  
 
 
Adverse Events (CTEP-AERS, MedWatch, Non-
AER, AML/MDS) 
 
Non-paraffin biospecimens  
 
 
 
 
*No waivers of eligibility per NCI 


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Update #6 
Schema 
 
Prior to Update #3, patients were treated with a pellet form of testosterone, which was inserted via 
surgical implant.  Effective with the issuance and local IRB approval of Update #3 to this protocol, 
new patients are to be randomized to the topical form of testosterone.  Those patients randomized 
to the pellet form will complete the study according to the original protocol and will receive their 
second pellet as planned. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baseline cycle length = 7 days 
Cycle 1 length = 90 days  
Cycle 2 length = 90 days  
NOTE:  Cycle is an Alliance data management tool to facilitate consistent remote data entry. 
 
Generic name:  Testosterone  
Brand name(s): 
Abbreviation:   TESTO  
Availability:   Research Base Pharmacy 
Generic name:  Placebo  
Brand name(s): 
Abbreviation:   PLACEB  
Availability:   Research Base Pharmacy 
 
Observation for Subcutaneous:   
Monthly up to 6 months. Not needed for patients who complete 
6 months of study treatment (see section 13.0). 
 
Observation for Topical:   
Monthly up to 6 months. Not needed for patients who complete 
6 months of study treatment (see section 13.0). 
Off Study 
Subcutaneous Testosterone  
Q 3 months x 6 months. 
First insertion after 1 week baseline and then 
repeat at 3 months (see section 7.1a). 
 
Topical Testosterone  
Once daily for 6 months, applied to skin as 
directed (see section 7.1b). 
Randomization 
Baseline Week 
 Subcutaneous placebo   
Q 3 months x 6 months. 
First insertion after 1 week baseline and then 
repeat at 3 months (see section 7.1a). 
 
Topical Placebo 
Once daily for 6 months, applied to skin as 
directed (see section 7.1b). 


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Update #6 
Table of Contents 
Section  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Page  
1.0 
Background .................................................................................................................................... 7 
1.1 
Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 7 
1.2 
Review of Related Research ...................................................................................................... 7 
1.3 
Aromatase Inhibitors and Arthralgia ......................................................................................... 7 
1.4 
Summary of ART Therapy Data ............................................................................................... 8 
1.5 
The Androgen Receptor, Androgens and Breast Cancer ......................................................... 11 
1.6 
Androgen Receptor Expression in Breast Tissue .................................................................... 12 
1.7 
Circulating Androgens in Women ........................................................................................... 12 
1.8 
Androgens and Breast Cancer ................................................................................................. 13 
1.9 
Androgen Replacement Safety ................................................................................................ 13 
1.10 
Effect of AI and T combination (ART) ................................................................................... 14 
1.11 
CCOP Feasibility ..................................................................................................................... 14 
1.12 
Study Duration ........................................................................................................................ 14 
1.13 
Testosterone preparation to use for Pellet Insertion ................................................................ 15 
1.14 
Summary ................................................................................................................................. 16 
1.15 
Reasoning for Topical Application ......................................................................................... 17 
2.0 
Goals .............................................................................................................................................. 17 
2.1 
Primary .................................................................................................................................... 17 
2.2 
Secondary ................................................................................................................................ 17 
2.3 
Ancillary .................................................................................................................................. 17 
3.0 
Patient Eligibility ......................................................................................................................... 17 
3.1 
Inclusion Criteria ..................................................................................................................... 17 
3.2 
Exclusion Criteria .................................................................................................................... 18 
4.0 
Test Schedule ................................................................................................................................ 19 
5.0 
Stratification Factors ................................................................................................................... 20 
6.0  
Registration/Randomization Procedures ................................................................................... 20 
6.1 
CTEP / DCP Registration Procedures ..................................................................................... 20 
6.2 
Site Registration Requirements – IRB Approval .................................................................... 21 
6.3 
Patient Randomization ............................................................................................................ 22 
6.4 
Procedures for Double-Blinding the Treatment Assignment .................................................. 24 
7.0 
Protocol Treatment ...................................................................................................................... 25 
7.1a 
Treatment Schedule for Pellet Insertion (for patients enrolled prior to local IRB 
approval of Update #3) ............................................................................................................ 25 
7.1b 
Treatment Schedule for Topical Application (for patients enrolled after local IRB 
approval of Update #3) ............................................................................................................ 25 
7.2 
Unblinding Procedures ............................................................................................................ 26 
7.3 
Assessment of patient symptoms, adverse events, and medications ....................................... 26 
8.0 
Dosage Modification Based on Adverse Events ........................................................................ 27 
9.0 
Ancillary Treatment/Supportive Care ....................................................................................... 27 
10.0 
Adverse Event (AE) Reporting and Monitoring ....................................................................... 28 
10.1 
Routine Adverse Event Reporting ........................................................................................... 28 
10.2 
CTCAE Routine Study Reporting Requirements .................................................................... 28 
10.3 
Expedited Adverse Event Reporting (CTEP-AERS) .............................................................. 29 
10.4 
Contact Information for NCI Safety Reporting ....................................................................... 33 
10.5 
Other Required Expedited Reporting ...................................................................................... 34 
11.0 
Treatment Evaluation .................................................................................................................. 35 
12.0 
Descriptive Factors ...................................................................................................................... 35 
13.0 
Treatment/Follow–up Decision at Evaluation of Patient ......................................................... 35 


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Update #6 
14.0 
Body Fluid Biospecimens ............................................................................................................ 36 
14.1 
Specimen Registration and Tracking....................................................................................... 36 
14.2 
Blood/Blood Products Handling.............................................................................................. 36 
14.3 
Other Body Fluids Handling ................................................................................................... 38 
14.4 
Study Methodology and Storage Information ......................................................................... 38 
14.5 
Return of Genetic Testing Research Results ........................................................................... 38 
15.0 
Drug Information ......................................................................................................................... 39 
15.1 
Testosterone Pellet – Alliance IND #114707 .......................................................................... 39 
15.2 
Placebo .................................................................................................................................... 41 
15.3 
Nursing Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 41 
15.1 
Testosterone Topical Gel – Alliance IND #114707 ................................................................ 41 
15.2 
Placebo .................................................................................................................................... 43 
15.3 
Nursing Guidelines .................................................................................................................. 43 
16.0  
Statistical Considerations and Methodology ............................................................................. 43 
16.1 
Study Design ........................................................................................................................... 43 
16.2 
Study Endpoints ...................................................................................................................... 44 
16.3  
Statistical Analysis .................................................................................................................. 44 
16.4 
Sample Size and Power Analysis ............................................................................................ 45 
16.5 
Accrual rate and study duration ............................................................................................... 46 
16.6 
Missing data ............................................................................................................................ 46 
16.7 
Monitoring ............................................................................................................................... 46 
16.8 
Adverse Event Stopping Rule ................................................................................................. 46 
16.9 
Minority Accrual ..................................................................................................................... 47 
17.0  
Pathology Considerations/Tissue Biospecimens ........................................................................ 47 
18.0 
Records and Data Collection Procedures .................................................................................. 48 
18.1 
Data collection and submission ............................................................................................... 48 
18.2 
Submission Timetables ............................................................................................................ 48 
19.0  
Budget ........................................................................................................................................... 49 
19.1 
Costs charged to patient:  Routine clinical care ...................................................................... 49 
19.2 
Tests to be research funded:  None.......................................................................................... 49 
19.3 
Other budget concerns:  Study agent and placebo will be provided to the patient free 
of charge. ................................................................................................................................. 49 
20.0 
References ..................................................................................................................................... 50 
Appendix I: Consent Form ...................................................................................................................... 55 
Appendix II: Patient Information Sheets ................................................................................................ 64 
Appendix III: Patient Information Sheet for Hot Flash Diary ............................................................. 68 
Appendix IV: Patient Questionnaire -Hot Flash Diary ......................................................................... 69 
Appendix V: Patient Questionnaire -Symptom Experience Questionnaire ........................................ 70 
Appendix VI: Patient Questionnaire -Profile of Mood States (POMS) ............................................... 73 
Appendix VII: Patient Questionnaire -Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale .......................... 74 
Appendix VIII: Patient Questionnaire - Modified Brief Pain Inventory for Aromatase 
Inhibitor Induced Arthralgia ...................................................................................................... 75 
Appendix IX: Patient Questionnaire - Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) .................. 77 
Appendix X: Nurse/CRA Phone Contact Guide .................................................................................... 86 
Appendix XI: Testosterone Safety Issues ................................................................................................ 87 
Appendix XII: Site Ordering Instructions and forms (to order study agent) ..................................... 98 
Appendix XIII: ASCO Slides regarding testosterone/anastrazole presentation ............................... 102 
Appendix XIV: European Menopause and Andropause Society meeting poster ............................. 115 
Appendix XV: Subcutaneous testosterone implants on lipid profiles ................................................ 116 
Appendix XVI: Drug information provided by Dr.  Rebecca Glaser February 15, 2012 ................ 117 
Appendix XVII: AccuPen™ Dispensing Device Application Directions ............................................. 129 


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Update #6 
 
1.0 
BACKGROUND 
1.1 
Executive Summary  
Rationale 
• 
Aromatase Inhibitor induced arthralgia (AIA) is a major impediment for the use of this 
class of drug in breast cancer management. 
• 
There are available data to support that testosterone metabolic anomalies in synovium 
may be the cause of this syndrome. 
• 
A recent phase II trial (ART2) demonstrated the efficacy of testosterone replacement in 
treating AIA. 
• 
In a concurrent in vitro study, aromatase inhibitor (AI) efficacy was unaffected by 
testosterone (T) supplementation. 
Proposal   
This concept application is to validate and refine the application of topical testosterone in women 
suffering from AIA. This will include the evaluation of T supplementation to overcome other 
side effects, such as hot flashes, loss of libido, and general sense of well-being (quality of life). 
1.2 
Review of Related Research 
The new generation of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) used in the treatment of breast cancer has 
resulted in a therapeutic advantage over the gold standard tamoxifen. However, when the original 
trials were undertaken with AIs, one side effect or adverse event (AE) was not anticipated and, 
therefore, was not adequately evaluated during the protocol generation. Specifically, this AE is 
joint pain and stiffness.  This AE has been demonstrated to occur in between 30 and 50% of 
women undergoing AIs therapy, and is resulting in significant compliance problems1. 
This unanticipated syndrome is characterized by joint inflammation similar to rheumatoid 
arthritis.  Similarly, a relatively high incidence of Sjogren’s syndrome (well known to be 
secondary to abnormal androgen metabolism), has also been diagnosed among those undergoing 
AI therapy2.  To date, the management of AIA has been with traditional rheumatological 
therapeutic interventions.  Although the etiology of AIA is poorly understood, it may be 
secondary to alterations in hormonal metabolism; and quite possibly secondary to alteration in 
androgen metabolism, rather than a direct effect of estrogen deprivation. This may explain a 
potential relationship of this AIA syndrome to Sjogren’s syndrome.  The severity of this 
rheumatoidal adverse effect is not seen in women taking selective estrogen receptor modulators 
like toremifene or in women receiving LHRH agonist therapy.  
1.3 
Aromatase Inhibitors and Arthralgia 
Studies show that the aromatase enzyme is prevalent in the synovium of joints and is active in 
metabolizing precursor androgens to estrogen (E). The balance of estrogens and androgens in the 
joint space seems to be pivotal in regulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor 
necrosis factor (TNF) 3.  TNF has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis 
synovitis. The direct pathogenic effects of TNF are amplified by TNF's ability to induce other 
pro-inflammatory cytokines, including: interleukin-1 and interleukin-6; and a granulocyte 
macrophage colony stimulating factor and adhesion molecules such as prostaglandin E2 and also 
matrix metolloproteinase, which are involved in joint degradation exerted by the synovial tissue. 
Androgens, especially T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) have been identified as being especially 


Alliance A221102 
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Update #6 
important in countering the pro-inflammatory cytokines 4. Unlike other tissues, the synovium is 
not effective in producing androgens from precursors such as progesterone or cholesterol; and it 
is, therefore, very dependent on serum delivery of dihydroepiandrostenedione (DHEA) or 
testosterone 3. Hydroxy (OH)-DHEA, a metabolite of DHEA, is pro-inflammatory in the 
synovium 5; therefore, it can be asserted that T, and its more active, non-aromatizable metabolite 
5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) (thought to be anti-inflammatory in the normal synovium) 
would be a protective androgen against joint inflammation. 
Intriguingly, serum T and DHT in women does not rise in the presence of 3rd generation 
aromatase inhibitors 6. This seems counter-intuitive as E becomes almost undetectable in the 
serum. Because of this, one would assume that it would leave more substrate (i.e., T) to become 
available in the serum. In joints where aromatase is plentiful in cartilage and synovium, there is 
a complex interplay of hormonal actions. In the synovial fluid of women being treated with 
aromatase inhibitors, there may be low DHT levels for two reasons: 1) secondary to low levels 
of bio-available T (as seen in women after chemotherapy, oophorectomy and aging); and 2) ultra 
low levels of estrogen found in women who are taking aromatase inhibitors that result in a 
negative feedback on 5-alpha reductase 7, the enzyme that metabolizes T to 5α-DHT. 
Conversion to T from other precursors does not appear to be as efficient in joints when compared 
with other tissues. Joints seem to require T to ensure adequate DHT levels 8. Thus, to overcome 
this negative side-effect it was decided to try testosterone replacement in women experiencing 
the side-effect of joint pain and stiffness caused by aromatase inhibitors (ART therapy).  
1.4 
Summary of ART Therapy Data 
Two concurrent streams of investigation of AIs and T have been undertaken, an in vitro study 
and a phase II trial. Both these studies were presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer 
Conference 2009. 
1) The In Vitro Study is about to be published and the abstract is as follows: 
Abstract 
Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are the first line adjuvant therapy for 
postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer. Side effects 
of AI therapy, such as arthralgia, can cause significant patient discomfort leading to 
compliance issues. Testosterone (T) supplementation has emerged as a potential means 
to treat AI-associated arthralgia with favourable results in a phase II clinical trial 
(NCT00497458). Our objective was to determine whether T supplementation has 
potential to compromise the anti-proliferative effects of AIs in the treatment of breast 
cancer. 
Methods: Fresh breast tumor tissues collected from 26 ER-positive post-menopausal 
women were cultured for 24h in media with 10% steroid depleted fetal calf serum and 
treated with vehicle (control), T (5nM) and/or AI-Anastrozole (25ng/ml). Tissues were 
stained with antibodies for ER, androgen receptor (AR) and Ki67, a marker of cell 
proliferation.  
Results:  Anastrozole treatment significantly inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation as 
compared to control (p=0.003; Wilcoxon signed rank test) in 11/26 (42%) cases, and this 
inhibition was unaffected by T supplementation.  
Conclusions: Our findings suggest that T supplementation in post-menopausal women 
on adjuvant AI therapy is not deleterious. 
2) The Phase II or ART 2 trial is about to be published, a summary of the San Antonio 
posters presentation is as follows: 


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Update #6 
breast cells) and increased apoptosis of malignant breast cells. (A higher level of serum 
testosterone, is therefore, desirable.) 
Note:  
 
recognized international leaders in the field of androgens and breast cancer, concur that the 
second hypothesis is correct.   
1.6 
Androgen Receptor Expression in Breast Tissue 
It would be unusual in breast malignancies (when AR is co-expressed with ER and PR), for the 
tumor to behave in a fashion other than the default position found in normal breast tissue (i.e. 
cellular stimulation by E and inhibition by T and DHT). However, this may not be the case as 
tumors progress toward hormonal independence where there may be global rearrangement of the 
cellular basis of hormonal regulation. This has recently been demonstrated by Hanley, et. al., 10 
who examined the co-expression ER, PR and HER2 in relation to AR in situ and invasive 
malignancies and found that loss of AR expression may be important in preventing invasive 
progression. However, when AR is the sole steroid receptor expressed in a malignancy (as 
frequently occurs in advanced disease with HER2 over-expression), AR regulated pathways may 
be stimulated by androgens in an attempt by the cell to maintain hormonal stimulation. This is in 
keeping with work done on the androgen responsive breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-453 where 
high levels of AR are associated with amplification of HER2 and no ER and PR expression 11.  
As a result, it is currently being asked whether malignancies, where the AR is the sole expressed 
steroid receptor, can be treated using an AI and DHEA 12. This is based on the observation that 
in some genetically modified breast cancer cells lines, proliferation is inhibited by AR stimulation 
in cells that express AR as the sole steroid hormone receptor 13. This is not in keeping with the 
findings in MDA-MB-453 where AR is the sole steroid hormone receptor and androgens cause 
a mild cellular proliferation. Thus, the converse is being tested at The Memorial Sloan-Kettering 
Cancer Center, where biculutamide, an AR antagonist, is being used to block the AR related 
pathways in metastatic disease, hoping that this could result in a hormonal regulation of a tumor 
thought to be hormonally insensitive 14.  
The evidence is pointing to the latter as being a sounder hypothesis and the trial results should 
be available next year; however, these divergent trials add to the uncertainty about androgen 
action in the breast.  Nevertheless, it must be noted that AIs are currently only used in ER and 
PR positive malignancies and not in the types of cases outlined above. 
1.7 
Circulating Androgens in Women 
In post-menopausal women, up to 25% of T is derived from the adrenal glands, 25% is derived 
from the ovary, and the remaining 50% is derived from peripheral conversion of the 
proandrogens, with androstenedione being the main precursor. Circulating T can be converted to 
DHT by 5α-reductase or to estradiol by the aromatase enzyme. Both these enzymes are present 
in both normal and malignant breast tissue 15. However, in most malignant breast tissue, these 
enzymes are present in amplified quantities. In normal breast tissue their presence is less, but 
there are significant differences among individuals with normal breast tissue in the level of 
expression of these enzymes.  
Although serum T is used as a marker of the androgenic status of a woman, it appears that the 
tissue levels of T are much more important.  This is obviously difficult to measure and we must 
rely upon serum T measurements, which are fraught with potential difficulties, such as:  
1) Insensitive techniques for measurement of serum T (especially at the very low serum 
concentration found in women); 
2) Variable Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels that keep T bound and not 


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available for tissue activation; 
3) Cyclical, diurnal and stress-induced variations in both T, E and adrenal precursor; and 
4) Variation in tissue enzyme activity (i.e., more aromatase than 5α-reductase activity). 
Many believe that it is the tissue level or intracrine metabolism of T and its precursors that is the 
essential issue in determining T action on normal and malignant breast tissue 15. In women where 
there is an excess of androgen production (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome), it may be that 
there is a reduction in breast cancer incidence; however, recent epidemiological data suggest that 
in healthy women with higher T levels the converse applies. The latter may be the result of higher 
T to E conversion. There are no studies that have addressed this issue in a systematic 
epidemiological fashion at the tissue level. 
1.8 
Androgens and Breast Cancer 
In the 1940-60s, synthetic androgens were used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer and 
were shown to have similar efficacy to anti-estrogens.  However, the side-effect profile mitigated 
against their widespread acceptance and the advent of better hormonal therapies resulted in 
synthetic androgens being relegated to obscurity.  While their mode of action was never fully 
understood, there is a body of evidence suggesting that the efficacy of androgen therapy resulted 
from direct interaction with the AR in breast cancer cells.  This researcher and others have 
demonstrated that the synthetic androgen mibolerone 16 and the native androgen DHT (reviewed 
in 16), by binding to the AR 17, could inhibit breast cancer cell growth.  In the ZR-75-1 breast 
cancer cell line, incubation with physiological concentrations of DHT, similar to those found in 
normal women 18, inhibited E induced proliferation 19. In ovariectomized athymic mice, DHT is 
a potent inhibitor of the stimulatory effect of E on ZR-75-1 tumor growth, and this effect can be 
reversed with the androgen antagonist, flutamide 20.  Although the DHT effect appears to be AR 
mediated, DHT suppresses the ER content of ZR-75-1 cells 21. However, the 2 most important 
observations regarding the effect of androgen on the breast come from a primate study which 
demonstrated that T reversed E-induced epithelial stimulation 22. It has also been shown that 
women taking T have a reduction in HRT-induced epithelial and stromal proliferative index 23.  
Additional data attesting to the safety of testosterone is provided in appendix XI. 
1.9 
Androgen Replacement Safety 
The risks of androgen replacement may be divided into:  1) those which are masculinizing (acne, 
hirsutism, alopecia, fluid retention, bloating); and 2) those which are potentially more serious 
(hepatocellular, cardiovascular and cancer risks).  There are no large studies quantifying the 
incidence of the risk of masculinization with injected T.  However, this risk does exist and 
depends on the level of T achieved and the woman’s skin sensitivity.  When careful monitoring 
has been carried out, and with lower dose therapy, the overall risk is low. In a safety surveillance 
study of esterified E and methyltestosterone, the risk of hirsutism was less than 5%; and in one 
other study, the side effects, with the addition of methyltestosterone, were no different from those 
in women receiving E alone.  Similarly, fluid retention (which tends to be more idiosyncratic) 
and bloating were rare, and there were no reports of hepatic toxicity, changes in liver function or 
changes in blood pressure.  In terms of cardiovascular disease risk, oral methyltestosterone 
adversely affects high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol with values decreasing by up to 
20% from baseline; however, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is lowered to a similar extent as E.  
Triglycerides, which tend to increase with oral E, decrease by approximately 15% with 
methyltestosterone 24.  In terms of direct effects on the vasculature, there are data suggesting that 
T may be beneficial for dilating coronary arteries, possibly via conversion by aromatase to E; but 
it may be a direct androgenic effect.  In addition, data in the cynomolgus monkey have shown 
that methyltestosterone does not negatively influence coronary vasodilatation and decreases 


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Update #6 
coronary arterial LDL uptake. There is also no difference in the risk of endometrial hyperplasia 
when comparing E to E/androgen combination therapy. 
1.10 Effect of AI and T combination (ART) 
Although it was traditionally thought that most of the hormonal effect of testosterone in women 
resulted from aromatization of T to E, two recent studies have challenged this traditional thought. 
Studies of women receiving testosterone for sexual dysfunction and cognitive impairment did 
not have any reversal of the therapeutic benefit of T by the addition of the 3rd generation letrozole 
25,26. This indicates that the benefit of the T was not due to aromatization to E.  
Utilizing T to overcome the side-effects of an AI in breast cancer therapy is a novel concept. The 
only current therapeutic utilization of the ART therapy are: 
1) To reduce the estrogenic effect of T abuse in bodybuilding, in particular gynaecomastia.  
These data are unpublished as they are related to the illicit use of anabolic steroids, but 
is widely discussed on body building web sites http://www.mesomorphosis.com/steroid-
profiles/arimidex.htm; 
2) To reduce estrogenic side effects in hypogonadal men on T therapy 27,28; and  
3) Testosterone therapy for female-to-male transsexuals. 29. 
It is this last study that fully explores the safety issues of ART therapy.  There were no 
demonstrable effects on the cardiovascular system in a double-blind placebo-controlled study of 
ART versus T and placebo 29.  
In addition, intriguing research by Macedo et al., has demonstrated that aromatase inhibitors may 
exert their antiproliferative effect in breast cancer cell lines, not only by reducing the intracellular 
production of estrogens, but also by unmasking the inhibitory effect of androgens acting via the 
AR 30. Moreover, aromatase suppresses in situ production of bioactive androgen, DHT, in breast 
carcinoma 31. Aromatase inhibitors may thus have additional antiproliferative effects through 
increasing local DHT concentration with recent findings suggesting that intratumoral androgen 
actions are increased during exemestane treatment 32.  Lastly, an abstract presented at the 2010 
ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium33, reported on the results of 43 women treated with anastrazole 
and testosterone therapy, with the testosterone being provided as subcutaneous pellet inserts.  
Acknowledging the lack of detail in an abstract, as opposed to a published manuscript, the authors 
reported that the patients had therapeutic levels of testosterone without elevations of estradiol 
levels.  They also reported that patients did not have evidence of disease recurrence/progression 
on this therapy and that androgen deficiency symptoms resolved.   
1.11 CCOP Feasibility 
There are a large number of women on aromatase inhibitors and about 50% of them with get 
arthralgias, with about 15% getting arthralgias that are severe enough to cause them to stop taking 
the medication.  The legacy NCCTG investigators, when queried, were quite enthusiastic about 
participating in this study.  Thus, this study is quite feasible within the CCOP mechanism. 
1.12 Study Duration  
The primary endpoint is at 3 months, based on the results of the previous randomized trial.  
However, if we just stop the study at 3 months, reporting a positive result, the question will surely 
be: would it have continued to work for a longer period of time?  We, thus, opted to study patients 
for a total period to 6 months.   


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1.13 Testosterone preparation to use for Pellet Insertion 
 Prior to Update #3, patients were treated with a pellet form of testosterone, which was inserted 
via surgical implant.  Effective with the issuance and local IRB approval of Update #3 to this 
protocol, new patients are to be randomized to the topical form of testosterone.  Those patients 
randomized to the pellet form will complete the study according to the original protocol and will 
receive their second pellet as planned. 
 
We obtained an IND (IND# 114147) for using a subcutaneous preparation of testosterone for 
alleviating aromatase inhibitor arthralgias and planned to utilize this means to deliver the 
testosterone for this study.  However, we subsequently determined that we had found a better 
testosterone formulation for conducting this trial, as opposed using to the subcutaneous 
preparation we were planning to utilize. We now propose to use a subcutaneous preparation 
formulation of testosterone.  This preparation includes testosterone 120mg and anastrozole 8mg 
(provided to prevent aromatization of testosterone to estrogen).   The testosterone /anastrozole 
pellets will come from a compounding pharmacy in Cincinnati, OH.  The pharmacist,
 
 a colleague of 
 who manufactures Testopel®, an FDA approved 
testosterone implant.  The testosterone/anastrozole pellets contain 98% active ingredient and 
about 2% stearic acid.   
 provided information at the 2010 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium 
regarding her experience with this preparation.  A copy of her slides is provided as appendix 
XIII.  To summarize, she treated women with androgen deficiency symptoms with a history of 
breast cancer.  Previous published information supported that continuous testosterone therapy 
delivered by subcutaneous implant effectively treats hormone/androgen deficiency symptoms in 
both pre- and post-menopausal patients34. 
She presented preliminary information supporting that 12 mg of anastrozole, a third generation 
aromatase inhibitor, delivered subcutaneously by pellet implant with up to 1200 mg of 
testosterone effectively prevented the conversion of testosterone to estradiol in men with 
previously elevated estradiol levels.  The amount of anastrazole delivered this way, over 3 months 
is negligible and should not interfere with the systemic aromatase inhibitor that the patient is 
receiving.   
Subcutaneous testosterone implants provided consistent delivery and consistent absorption. It 
was a simple procedure to insert the implants.   This administration bypasses the liver, thereby 
avoiding entero-hepatic circulation.  There was no problem with compliance and it was well 
tolerated.  
The dose that was provided to women was 120 mg of testosterone and 8 mg of anastrozole.   
The ASCO presentation focused on breast cancer survivors who were referred from their 
oncologist, or self referred with permission from their oncologist, for symptoms of androgen 
deficiency or bone loss.  Data were presented on 75 testosterone/anastrozole inserts performed 
in 43 breast cancer survivors treated between July 2009 and May 2010.   
Serum testosterone and estradiol levels were measured 2 weeks following the implantation.   
The results supported that this preparation was effective in treating symptoms with androgen 
deficiency in breast cancer survivors.  Patients achieved relief of symptoms and had therapeutic 
testosterone levels with a mean of 281 nanograms per deciliter and a range of 120-518 nanograms 
per deciliter.   With 70 out of 75 (93%) insertions in 43 patients, serum estradiol levels measured 
less than 30 pg/ml.  There was one patient who had an estradiol level greater than 40 pg/ml but a 
subsequent level in this patient measured less than 30 pg/ml.   


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In a group of patients who received testosterone implants alone (without anastrozole) 42% 
patients had estradiol levels greater than 30 pg/ml.  In contrast, only 7% (5/75) of patients treated 
with combination of anastrozole and testosterone had estradiol levels greater than 30 pg/ml.   
This group reported that they did not have any adverse drug events in over 170 insertions in 67 
patients through September 2010.  None of the breast cancer survivors, who were without 
evidence of metastatic disease at presentation, had been diagnosed with recurrent disease with 
up to 4 years of therapy.  There was no evidence of disease progression in two ER+ patients and 
1 ER- patient who had metastatic disease treated up to 30 months.  Another patient with active 
disease actually responded to chemotherapy with minimal side effects from the chemotherapy.   
In addition,
 have had an abstract /poster 
accepted for presentation at the European Menopause and Andropause Society meeting in 
Athens, Greece; March of 2012.  They report on 1,408 insertions of the testosterone anastrozole 
combination implant, between July 2009 – July 2011, with 314 insertions in breast cancer 
survivors.  There have been no complication or adverse drug events due to the combination 
implant (see attached poster as appendix XIV).  They are also presenting an abstract/poster on 
the beneficial effects of subcutaneous testosterone implants on lipid profiles in women (see 
attached poster as appendix XV).   
As of 9 February, 2012 
 has performed 430 testosterone anastrozole insertions in breast 
cancer survivors with no complications or adverse drug events.   
The advantages of the currently proposed manner of delivery, compared to subcutaneous 
delivery, are significant and we feel that this mode of delivery will be utilized in clinical practice 
and, thus, it is best if it is tested under trial conditions. It does carry the following advantages 
over subcutaneous application: 
• 
The most reliable application of the therapeutic compound under investigation 
• 
Only 2 applications required for the trial duration rather than daily application 
• 
 Minimization of the risk of application of the therapeutic compound under investigation 
(i.e. testosterone) without any form of aromatase inhibitor delivery (i.e. not taking the 
oral medication) 
This current protocol is not designed for a labeling indication.  Rather, it is an effort toward 
discovery of whether or not this preparation may alleviate aromatase inhibitor arthralgias.  
Aromatase inhibitor arthralgias are reported in up to 60% of women taking the aromatase 
inhibitors and are resulting in major compliance issues. 
 
1.14 Summary 
This unique and exciting concept has the potential to completely alter the nature of hormonal 
therapy in breast cancer management. It is recognized that long-term compliance has been an 
issue with anti-estrogen therapy. The advent of AIA has compounded this problem and made 
even short-term compliance a problem. By harnessing the unique ability of 3rd generation 
aromatase inhibitors to completely block the formation of E from T, the benefit of T can be 
realized without compromising anti-estrogen efficacy and indeed potentially provide the 
following benefits: 
1. Reduce the impact of AIA 
2. Enhance anti-estrogen efficacy 
3. Reduce the risk of tumor hormone independence 
4. Reduce hot flashes 
5. Enhance sense of well-being 
6. Improve libido 


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1.15 Reasoning for Topical Application  
As of early 2015, a decision was made to switch from the subcutaneous testosterone/anastrozole 
pellet to a topical preparation applied daily.  This change was made due to inadequate accrual with 
the subcutaneous preparation.  This is thought to be because the pellet is inserted via surgical 
procedure.  Thus, to make the therapy more accessible for clinical practice, where surgeons are not 
seeing patients routinely, the protocol has been modified to utilize a topical preparation of 
testosterone.  
2.0 
GOALS  
2.1 
Primary 
To determine whether testosterone will reduce AI-induced arthralgia and associated joint 
symptoms.    
2.2 
Secondary 
To explore whether testosterone will have an acceptable safety and tolerability profile, with 
particular reference to androgenic adverse events including acne, hirsutism, and alopecia. 
2.3 
Ancillary 
2.3.1 
To explore whether testosterone will reduce AI-induced arthralgias and associated joint 
symptoms and their interference with activity.   
2.3.2 
To explore whether testosterone will reduce the incidence of hot flashes. 
2.3.3 
To explore whether testosterone will modify libido or change quality of life. 
2.3.4 
To explore whether identified SNPs, that were associated with more aromatase inhibitor 
associated arthralgias in a previous prospective trial77, are more  commonly seen in the 
patients entered into the present clinical trial, than are observed in the normal population.  
3.0 
PATIENT ELIGIBILITY 
3.1 
Inclusion Criteria  
3.1.1 
Age ≥ 18 years. 
3.1.2 
Receiving anastrozole (1mg) or letrozole (2.5 mg) orally once a day, for ≥ 21 days prior to 
registration and plan to continue it throughout the duration of study. 
3.1.3 
Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 35 kg/m2. 
3.1.4 
Women who have undergone a total mastectomy or breast conserving surgery for primary 
breast cancer +/-chemo, +/-radiotherapy. 
3.1.5 
Must have BOTH ER and PR receptor-positive tumors and BOTH must be ≥ 26% positive. 
Alternatively, if ER and PR are determined by Allred score, the score needs to be 5 or 
higher. 
3.1.6 
Women who are postmenopausal by surgery, radiotherapy or presence of natural 
amenorrhea ≥12 months. 
 
 


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Update #6 
3.1.7 
≥5/10 arthralgia (in hands, wrist, knees, or hips) whilst being treated with anastrozole or 
letrozole which is felt by the patient to be caused by their aromatase inhibitor, as measured 
by verbally addressing the following question:  
Please rate your pain by picking a number, from 0 to 10 (0 being none and 10 being as bad 
as you can imagine) that best describes your pain from your aromatase inhibitor breast 
cancer medication on AVERAGE, over the past week. 
Note:  Patients may, or may not, be taking non-opioid analgesics: 
3.1.8 
Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance. 
3.1.9 
ECOG Performance Status (PS) 0, 1 or 2.   
3.1.10 Willing to provide informed written consent. 
3.1.11 Willing to return to an Alliance enrolling institution for follow-up. 
3.1.12 Willing to provide blood samples for correlative research purposes (see Sections 6.0 and 
14.0).  
3.1.13 Laboratory values obtained ≤ 365* days prior to registration: 
Creatinine ≤ 1.5 x ULN 
Hemoglobin > 11 g/dL 
WBC > 3.0  
Platelet Count > 100,000  
SGOT (AST) ≤ 1.5 x ULN 
*Note:  Without medical situations that should change these parameters since they were 
done.  
3.2 
Exclusion Criteria   
3.2.1 
Presence of residual or recurrent cancer (locally or metastatic). 
3.2.2 
Diabetes mellitus or glucose intolerance, defined as a fasting glucose > 125 mg/dL. 
3.2.3 
History of coronary artery disease (angina or myocardial infarction). 
3.2.4 
Patients on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) ≤ 4 weeks prior to registration. This 
includes the use of vaginal estrogen therapy. 
3.2.5 
Known hypersensitivity to any component of testosterone. 
3.2.6 
Prolonged systemic corticosteroid treatment, except for topical applications (e.g. for rash), 
inhaled sprays (e.g. for obstructive airway diseases), eye drops or local insertion (e.g. intra-
articular).  Note: Short duration (< 2 weeks) of systemic corticosteroids is allowed (e.g. for 
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) but not within 30 days prior to registration. 
3.2.7 
Receiving any other investigational agent.  
3.2.8 
History of a deep venous thrombosis or a thromboembolism. 
3.2.9 
Concurrent use of the aromatase inhibitor exemestane, as it is structurally similar to an 
androgen. 
3.2.10 Concurrent radiation therapy or chemotherapy.  
3.2.11 Current or planned use of cyclosporine, anticoagulants, insulin, oral or injectable vitamin 
D doses over 4,000IU/day, or tamoxifen   


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Update #6 
4.0 
TEST SCHEDULE 
 
Active-Monitoring Phase 
 
 
Tests and 
procedures 
≤ 30 days 
prior to 
registration 
 
After 
registration, 
Prior to 
baseline hot 
flash 
questionnaire 
 
Baseline 
Daily x 
1 week** 
 
At the end 
of Months 
3 and 6* 
 
Monthly (active-
monitoring or 
observation) 
 
History and exam, weight, performance status, 
vitals  
X 
 
 
X 
 
Height 
X 
 
 
 
 
BMI  
X 
 
 
 
 
Chemistry group:    SGOT (AST) 
Creatinine  
X1 
 
 
 
 
Hematology Group :    HGB 
WBC 
Platelet Count 
X1 
 
 
 
 
Insertion (testosterone or placebo) 
 
 
 
X4 
 
Adverse event assessment 
X 
 
 
X5 
 
Mandatory research blood draw  
(see Section 14.0)R 
 
X2 
 
 
 
Patient Questionnaire3:  
Hot Flash Diary (Appendix IV) 
 
 
X 
A 
 
Patient Questionnaires3:    
Symptom Experience Questionnaire (App. V) 
POMS (App. VI) 
HFRDIS (App. VII) 
Modified Brief Pain Inventory (App. VIII)   
MENQOL (App. IX)  
 
X 
 
 
X6 
Nurse/CRA Phone Contact (Appendix X) 
 
 
 
 
B 
*  +/- 7 days 
** Must be completed before initiation of testosterone/placebo gel. 
1. ≤365 days prior to registration. 
2. Kits are required for this collection.  Blood draw should be done at the same time as the clinical draw, if possible. Will need to be 
done within 104 days of study entry (ideally ≤ 7 days prior to testosterone), but must be done before the end of the 3 month follow-
up clinic visit.   
3. Patient questionnaire booklets must be used; copies are not acceptable for this submission. 
4. First implant insertion after 1 week baseline and then repeat after 3 months. 
5.    Done whether the patient is in active-monitoring or observation. 
6.  If the patient does not receive the second implant insertion, the patient will be encouraged to complete the remaining questionnaire 
booklets. 
A. Daily during the first 8 weeks of treatment only.  
B.  First nurse/CRA call is made after the first two weeks on study. Not needed on months that patient is seen at the clinic.  Call is to 
reinforce patient compliance and answer questions. Collect AE’s, if applicable.  
R    Research funded (see Section 19.0).   
 
 
 


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5.0 
STRATIFICATION FACTORS  
5.1 Baseline pain score (per eligibility question in section 3.17):  5-6 vs. 7-10. 
5.2 Age:  < 50 vs. 50-60 vs. > 60. 
 
The stratification factors listed include demographic, prognostic factors that may potentially 
impact the primary or secondary outcomes, so they need to be distributed evenly among the two 
arms. The 6 level combinations involved in these stratification factors are within the maximum 
recommended of one half of the group sample size for the study64. 
6.0  REGISTRATION/RANDOMIZATION PROCEDURES 
This study is supported by the NCI Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU). 
6.1 
CTEP / DCP Registration Procedures 
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and National Cancer Institute (NCI) policy 
require all individuals contributing to NCI-sponsored trials to register and to renew their 
registration annually.  To register, all individuals must obtain a Cancer Therapy Evaluation 
Program 
(CTEP) 
Identity 
and 
Access 
Management 
(IAM) 
account 
(https://ctepcore.nci.nih.gov/iam).  In addition, persons with a registration type of Investigator 
(IVR), Non-Physician Investigator (NPIVR), or Associate Plus (AP) (i.e., clinical site staff 
requiring write access to OPEN, RAVE, or TRIAD or acting as a primary site contact) must 
complete their annual registration using CTEP’s web-based Registration and Credential 
Repository (RCR) (https://ctepcore.nci.nih.gov/rcr). Documentation requirements per 
registration type are outlined in the table below. 
Documentation Required 
IVR 
NPIVR 
AP 
A 
FDA Form 1572 
 
 
Financial Disclosure Form 
 
 
 
NCI Biosketch (education, training, employment, 
license, and certification) 
 
 
 
HSP/GCP training 
 
 
 
Agent Shipment Form (if applicable) 
 
CV (optional) 
 
 
 
 
An active CTEP-IAM user account and appropriate RCR registration is required to access all 
CTEP and CTSU (Cancer Trials Support Unit) websites and applications.  In addition, IVRs and 
NPIVRs must list all clinical practice sites and IRBs covering their practice sites on the FDA 
Form 1572 in RCR to allow the following: 
• 
Added to a site roster 


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• 
Assigned the treating, credit, consenting, or drug shipment (IVR only) tasks in OPEN 
• 
Act as the site-protocol PI on the IRB approval 
Additional 
information 
can 
be 
found 
on 
the 
CTEP 
website 
at 
https://ctep.cancer.gov/investigatorResources/default.htm >. For questions, please contact the 
RCR Help Desk by email at 
 
Registration requires the submission of: 
• 
Human Subject Protection (HSP) training certificate 
6.2 Site Registration Requirements – IRB Approval 
6.2.1 
This study is supported by the NCI Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU). 
IRB Approval:   
Each investigator or group of investigators at a clinical site must obtain IRB approval for 
this protocol and submit IRB approval and supporting documentation to the CTSU 
Regulatory Office before they can be approved to enroll patients.  
Assignment of site registration status in the CTSU Regulatory Support System (RSS) uses 
extensive data to make a determination of whether a site has fulfilled all regulatory criteria 
including but not limited to:  
• 
an active Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) number, 
• 
 an active roster affiliation with the Lead Network or a participating organization,  
• 
a valid IRB approval, and  
• 
compliance with all protocol specific requirements. 
In addition, the site-protocol Principal Investigator (PI) must meet the following criteria: 
• 
Active registration status 
• 
The IRB number of the site IRB of record listed on their Form FDA 1572 
• 
An active status on a participating roster at the registering site. 
Sites participating on the NCI CIRB initiative and accepting CIRB approval for the study 
are not required to submit separate IRB approval documentation to the CTSU Regulatory 
Office. For sites using the CIRB, IRB approval information is received from the CIRB and 
applied to the RSS in an automated process. Signatory Institutions must submit a Study 
Specific Worksheet for Local Context (SSW) to the CIRB via IRBManager to indicate 
their intention to open the study locally.  The CIRB’s approval of the SSW is then 
communicated to the CTSU Regulatory Office. In order for the SSW approval to be 
processed, the Signatory Institution must inform the CTSU which CIRB-approved 
institutions aligned with the Signatory Institution are participating in a given study. 
Requirements for A221102 site registration: 
• 
IRB approval (For sites not participating via the NCI CIRB; local IRB 
documentation, an IRB-signed CTSU IRB Certification Form, Protocol of Human Subjects 
Assurance Identification/IRB Certification/Declaration of Exemption Form, or 
combination is accepted ) 
6.2.2 
In addition to submitting initial IRB approval documents, ongoing IRB approval 
documentation must be on file (no less than annually).  If the necessary documentation is 
not submitted in advance of attempting patient randomization, the randomization will not 


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be accepted and the patient may not be enrolled in the protocol until the situation is 
resolved. 
6.2.3 
When the study has been permanently closed to patient enrollment, submission of annual 
IRB approvals to the CTSU is no longer necessary. 
6.2.4 
Downloading Site Registration Documents:   
Site registration forms may be downloaded from the A221102 protocol page located on 
the CTSU members’ website.  Permission to view and download this protocol and its 
supporting documents is restricted and is based on person and site roster assignment 
housed in the CTSU RSS. 
• 
Go to https://www.ctsu.org and log in to the members’ area using your CTEP-IAM 
username and password 
• 
Click on the Protocols tab in the upper left of your screen By 
• 
Either enter the protocol # in the search field at the top of the protocol tree, or 
• 
Click on the By Lead Organization folder to expand 
• 
Click on the Alliance link to expand, then select trial protocol #A221102 
• 
Click on LPO Documents, select the Site Registration documents link, and 
download and complete the forms provided.   
 
6.2.5 
Submitting Regulatory Documents:  
Submit required forms and documents to the CTSU Regulatory Office via the Regulatory 
Submission Portal, where they will be entered and tracked in the CTSU RSS.  
Regulatory Submission Portal: www.ctsu.org  (members’ area)  Regulatory Tab 
Regulatory Submission  
When applicable, original documents should be mailed to: 
 
 
 
 
Institutions with patients waiting that are unable to use the Portal should alert the CTSU 
Regulatory Office immediately at 
in order to receive further instruction 
and support. 
6.2.6 
Checking Your Site’s Registration Status: 
You can verify your site registration status on the members’ section of the CTSU website.   
• 
Go to https://www.ctsu.org and log in to the members’ area using your CTEP-IAM 
username and password 
• 
Click on the Regulatory tab  
• 
Click on the Site Registration tab 
• 
Enter your 5-character CTEP Institution Code and click on Go 
Note: The status given only reflects compliance with IRB documentation and institutional 
compliance with protocol-specific requirements outlined by the Lead Network. It does not 
reflect compliance with protocol requirements for individuals participating on the protocol 
or the enrolling investigator’s status with the NCI or their affiliated networks 
6.3 Patient Randomization 


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Update #6 
6.3.1 
Patient randomization can occur only after pre-treatment evaluation is complete, eligibility 
criteria have been met, and the study site is listed as ‘approved’ in the CTSU RSS.  Patients 
must have signed and dated all applicable consents and authorization forms. 
6.3.2 
Patient enrollment will be facilitated using the Oncology Patient Enrollment Network 
(OPEN).  OPEN is a web-based registration system available on a 24/7 basis.  To access 
OPEN, the site user must have an active CTEP-IAM account (check at < https://eapps-
ctep.nci.nih.gov/iam/index.jsp >) and a 'Registrar' role on either the LPO or participating 
organization roster.  
All site staff will use OPEN to enroll patients to this study.  It is integrated with the CTSU 
Enterprise System for regulatory and roster data.  OPEN can be accessed at 
https://open.ctsu.org or from the OPEN tab on the CTSU members’ side of the website at 
https://www.ctsu.org. 
6.3.3 
Prior to accessing OPEN, site staff must verify the following: 
• 
All eligibility criteria must have been met within the protocol stated timeframes.  Site 
staff should use the randomization forms provided on the CTSU web site as a tool to 
verify eligibility. 
• 
All patients must have signed an appropriate consent form and HIPAA authorization 
form (if applicable). 
6.3.4 
Access Requirements for Oncology Patient Enrollment Network (OPEN) 
• 
Site staff will need to be registered with CTEP and have a valid and active CTEP-IAM 
account.  This is the same account (user id and password) used for the CTSU members’ 
web site. 
• 
To perform randomizations, the site user must have been assigned the ‘Registrar’ role 
on the relevant Group or CTSU roster. 
• 
To perform randomizations on protocols for which you are a member of the Lead 
Group, you must have an equivalent ‘Registrar’ role on the Lead Group roster.  Role 
assignments are handled through the Groups in which you are a member. 
• 
To perform randomizations to trials accessed via the CTSU mechanism you must have 
the role of Registrar on the CTSU roster. Site and/or Data Administrators can manage 
CTSU roster roles via the new Site Roles maintenance feature under RSS on the CTSU 
members' web site. This will allow them to assign staff the "Registrar" role. 
NOTE:  The OPEN system will provide the site with a printable confirmation of 
randomization and treatment information.  Please print this confirmation for your 
records.  
Further instructional information is provided on the OPEN tab of the CTSU members’ 
side of the CTSU website at https://www.ctsu.org or at https://open.ctsu.org.  For any 
additional questions, contact the CTSU Help Desk at 
 or 
 
6.3.5 
Correlative Research: A mandatory correlative research component for blood is part of 
this study, the patient will be automatically registered onto this component (see Sections 
3.1.13 and 14.0). 
6.3.6 
Patient has/has not given permission to store and use his/her sample(s) for use in future 
research to learn about, prevent, or treat cancer. 
6.3.7 
Patient has/has not given permission to store and use his/her sample(s) for use in future 


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Update #6 
research to learn about, prevent, or treat other health problems (for example: diabetes, 
Alzheimer’s disease, or heart disease). 
6.3.8 
Patient has/has not given permission for the Alliance to give his/her stored sample(s) for 
use in future research to outside researchers. 
6.3.9 
Treatment on this protocol must commence at the accruing membership under the 
supervision of an Alliance member physician. 
6.3.10 Study participation cannot begin prior to registration and must begin ≤14 days after 
registration. 
6.3.11 Pretreatment tests/procedures (see Section 4.0) must be completed within the guidelines 
specified on the test schedule. 
6.3.12 All required baseline symptoms (see Section 10.4) must be documented and graded. 
6.3.13 Blood draw kit is available on site (see Section 14.2.1 for kit ordering instructions). 
6.3.14 Patient Questionnaire Booklets are available on site; copies are not acceptable for this 
submission. 
6.3.15 Ordering of Patient Questionnaire Booklets 
Patient Questionnaire Booklets must be ordered prior to the registration of any 
patients. Site staff should obtain all necessary patient questionnaire booklets before 
registering patients. Patient questionnaire booklets should be ordered from CTSU by 
completing the Supply Request Form on the CTSU website (located under the site 
registration documents section of the CTSU A221102 Webpage) and faxing the form to 
the CTSU Data Center. Note: The CTSU will not send questionnaire booklets until the site 
has submitted a copy of their IRB approval excerpt to the CTSU Regulatory Office.  
Copies of questionnaires in the appendices of this protocol are to be submitted to the local 
IRB for review and approval only and are not acceptable for data submission. 
6.3.16 Once the above conditions have been met, access the OPEN website and follow the 
instructions for enrollment. 
The factors defined in Section 5.0, together with the registering membership, will be used 
as stratification factors.  The values of the stratification factors will be recorded.  The 
patient then will be assigned to one of the following treatment groups using the Pocock and 
Simon65 dynamic allocation procedure which balances the marginal distributions of the 
stratification factors between the treatment groups. 
• 
Testosterone  
• 
Placebo   
6.4 
Procedures for Double-Blinding the Treatment Assignment 
To ensure that both the patient and the medical professionals who care for the patient are blinded 
to the identity of the treatment assignment, the randomization specialist will follow the double-
blinding procedures outlined below. 
6.4.1 
After the treatment assignment has been determined by the registration/randomization 
application, Alliance registration office personnel will be notified of the treatment 
assignment, and they will then communicate the treatment assignment to the Alliance 
Research Base Pharmacy.  The registration personnel will also notify the participating 
institution of the patient-specific kit number to be used on the order form.  Institutions will 
then order testosterone/placebo using the A221102 Clinical Drug Order Form. Upon 
receipt of the order from, the Alliance Research Base Pharmacy will then ship the 


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Update #6 
appropriate patient-specific 3-month testosterone/placebo supply directly to the 
participating institution.  
6.4.2 
Approximately two weeks prior to the patient’s second visit (at the end of month 3), 
institutional staff must place a reorder with the Alliance Research Base Pharmacy for the 
second 3-month patient specific drug supply, so that it is available when the patient returns. 
The institutional staff must contact the Registration Office at 
 for a code 
number when additional study product is needed for the patient. 
6.4.3 
The kit number assigned to the patient will be recorded on the dosing form. 
6.4.4 
The dose will be prepared and labeled as “testosterone OR placebo” so that the contents 
are not discernible to the individual administering the treatment. 
6.4.5 
The institutional pharmacist or designated contact person will maintain records that 
indicate the identity of the patient and their corresponding treatment assignment code. 
7.0 
PROTOCOL TREATMENT 
Prior to Update #3, patients were treated with a pellet form of testosterone, which was inserted via 
surgical implant.  Effective with the issuance and local IRB approval of Update #3 to this protocol, 
new patients are to be randomized to the topical form of testosterone.  Those patients randomized to 
the pellet form will complete the study according to the original protocol and will receive their second 
pellet as planned. 
7.1a Treatment Schedule for Pellet Insertion (for patients enrolled prior to local IRB approval of 
Update #3) 
Agent 
Dose Level 
Route 
Frequency 
Testosterone/ 
anastrozole 
TWO pellets 
(total 120 mg)  
testosterone/ 
8mg 
anastrozole 
Sub Q 
implant 
Once every 3 
months for a total 
of 2 doses 
Placebo 
TWO pellets 
Sub Q 
implant 
Once every 3 
months for a total 
of  2 doses 
First insertion 1 week after baseline and then repeat at 3 months.  
7.1b Treatment Schedule for Topical Application (for patients enrolled after local IRB approval 
of Update #3) 
Agent 
Dose Level 
Route 
Frequency 
Testosterone gel 
10.4mg/ 
0.264mL 
Topical 
Daily x 6 months 
Placebo 
0.264mL 
Topical 
Daily x 6 months 
7.11 
After the patient has completed the Hot Flash Diary for 7 days, the patient will apply 
testosterone or placebo to the skin once a day for 6 months.   This should start 1 week after 
study initiation (following the one week of obtaining the baseline hot flash data).   
7.12 
The CRA/Nurse will demonstrate to the patient how to apply the topical study agent.  
7.13 
The detailed instruction sheet (Appendix XVII) will be given to the patient when the 


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Update #6 
medication is dispensed.  
7.2 
Unblinding Procedures 
Unblinding in this trial may only occur under two circumstances:  
1. In case of an emergency for patients on therapy; or  
2. After the patient has completed all study-related procedures and at the request of 
patient/physician.  
Follow the directions below to unblind patient treatment. Please note that if a treatment 
assignment is unblinded, the patient must discontinue protocol therapy. 
7.2.1 
Emergency Unblinding: 
Examples of emergencies include 1) a life-threatening unexpected adverse event that is at 
least possibly related to the investigational agent and for which unblinding would influence 
treatment decisions; or 2) medication error, such as accidental overdose. Expected adverse 
events are listed in the “Toxicities” section below.  
Contact the Alliance Executive Officer on call by calling
, pressing 1 to 
speak with an operator, and then asking for pager ID 8625 to return the call.  
The institution must provide the following information to the Alliance Executive Officer:  
• 
Alliance study ID (A221102)  
• 
Alliance patient ID number  
• 
Patient initials (e.g., “L,FM”)  
• 
Institution name  
• 
Name and telephone number of treating physician  
• 
Name and contact information of person requesting the unblinding procedure  
• 
Name and contact information of person to inform of treatment assignment  
• 
Reason for emergency unblinding  
Please remember that emergency unblinding request may be authorized only by an Alliance 
Executive Officer, and emergency unblinding applies only if unblinding would influence 
management of the medical situation.  
After the Executive Officer deems unblinding is warranted, the treatment assignment will 
be provided to the contact person at the treating site. 
7.2.2 
Protocol-specified unblinding 
Trial participants may be unblinded upon study completion. Contact the Alliance 
Registration Office at 
 during regular business hours. Upon confirmation by 
the Primary Statistician (or designee) that all the study completion requirements have been 
met, the treatment assignment may be unblinded. No Alliance Executive Officer (or 
designee) approval is required. 
7.3 
Assessment of patient symptoms, adverse events, and medications 
7.3.1 
Assessment of AI-associated arthralgia and associated joint symptoms will be measured 
by the change from baseline using data from Modified Brief Pain Inventory for Aromatase 
Arthralgia (Appendix VIII). 


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Update #6 
7.3.2 
Assessment of potential testosterone-associated toxicities will be measured by the 
Symptom Experience Questionnaire (Appendix V). 
7.3.3 
Assessment of hot flashes will be measured by the Hot Flash Diary (Appendix IV) and the 
HFRDIS (Appendix VII). 
7.3.4 
Assessment of libido will be measured by the MENQOL, a validated instrument71 
(Appendix IX). 
7.3.5 
Assessment of quality of life will be measured by the POMS (Appendix VI). 
8.0 
DOSAGE MODIFICATION BASED ON ADVERSE EVENTS  
If a patient develops unacceptable toxicity (as determined by the patient and/or attending health care 
provider) that is determined to potentially be from the study agent (as determined by the attending 
health care provider), then that toxicity should be recorded on the Adverse Event Form (see section 
10) and the medication should be stopped. This includes any grade 2 or worse toxicity from the 
current version of the CTCAE. These toxicities may be acne, hirsutism, or an unacceptable change 
in libido.  The patient will be asked to continue to complete questionnaires for the entire 6 month 
period.   
  Use the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 4.0* unless 
otherwise specified   
 
System Organ Class 
(SOC) 
 
ADVERSE EVENT 
 
AGENT 
 
ACTION 
BASED ON INTERVAL ADVERSE EVENT 
Vascular Disorder 
Thromboembolic event 
(grade ≥ 2) 
 
Testosterone/ 
placebo  
Discontinue study agent (by not 
administering another dose). Patient 
will continue to complete 
questionnaires for the 6 month 
period.  
Skin and 
subcutaneous tissue 
disorders 
Skin reaction to the gel 
(grade ≥ 2) 
 
Testosterone/ 
placebo 
Discontinue study agent (by not 
administering another dose). Patient 
will continue to complete 
questionnaires for the 6 month 
period. 
     
   * Located at http:/ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/electronic_applications.ctc.htm 
9.0 
ANCILLARY TREATMENT/SUPPORTIVE CARE 
Patients should receive clinically appropriate supportive care while on this study including 
analgesics.  While there is no ban on the use of vitamin D, gabapentin, pregabalin, or antidepressants, 
these are not recommended treatments for aromatase inhibitor arthralgias.  NSAID use is allowed. 
 
 


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Update #6 
10.0 ADVERSE EVENT (AE) REPORTING AND MONITORING 
The prompt reporting of adverse events is the responsibility of each investigator engaged in clinical 
research, as required by Federal Regulations. Adverse events must be described and graded using the 
terminology and grading categories defined in the NCI’s Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse 
Events (CTCAE), Version 4.0.  However, CTCAE v5.0 must be used for serious AE reporting 
through 
CTEP-AERS 
as 
of 
April 
1, 
2018. 
The 
CTCAE 
is 
available 
at 
ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/electronic_applications/ctc.htm.  The CTCAE is available at 
http://ctep.cancer.gov/reporting/ctc.html. Attribution to protocol treatment for each adverse event 
must be determined by the investigator and reported on the required forms, using the codes provided. 
10.1 Routine Adverse Event Reporting 
Adverse event data collection and reporting, which are required as part of every clinical trial are 
done to ensure the safety of patients enrolled in the studies as well as those who will enroll in 
future studies using similar agents. Adverse events are reported in a routine manner at scheduled 
times according to the test schedule in Section 4.0. For this trial, the Adverse Events forms are 
used for routine AE reporting (see Sections 10.4 and 18.0 for more details). 
Adverse events to be graded at each evaluation and pretreatment symptoms/conditions to be 
evaluated at baseline per CTCAE v4.0 grading unless otherwise stated in the table below: 
System Organ Class 
(SOC) 
Adverse event 
Baseline 
Each 
evaluation 
Vascular Disorder 
Thromboembolic event 
X 
X 
Skin and Subcutaneous 
Tissue 
  
Hirsutism  
X 
X 
Rash Acneiform  
Local rash from gel 
X 
X 
X 
Refer to the instructions in the Forms Packet (or electronic data entry screens, as applicable) 
regarding the submission of late occurring AEs following completion of the Active Monitoring 
Phase (i.e., compliance with Test Schedule in Section 4.0). 
10.2 CTCAE Routine Study Reporting Requirements 
* 
Combinations of CTCAE Grade & Attribution Required for Routine AE Data Submission 
on Case Report Forms (CRFs) 
Attribution 
Grade 1 
Grade 2 
Grade 3 
Grade 4 
Grade 5 
Unrelated 
 
 
a 
a 
a 
Unlikely 
 
 
a 
a 
a 
Possible 
 
a 
a, b 
a, b 
a, b 
Probable 
 
a 
a, b 
a, b 
a, b 
Definite 
 
a 
a, b 
a, b 
a, b 
a) Adverse Events: Other CRF - Applies to AEs occurring between registration and within 30 
days of the patient’s last treatment date, or as part of the Clinical Follow-Up Phase. 
b) Adverse Events: Late CRF - Applies to AEs occurring greater than 30 days after the patient’s 
last treatment date. 
 
 


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Update #6 
10.3 Expedited Adverse Event Reporting (CTEP-AERS) 
Investigators are required by Federal Regulations to report serious adverse events as defined 
below. Alliance investigators are required to notify the Alliance Central Protocol Operations 
Program Office, the Study Chair, and their Institutional Review Board if a patient has an adverse 
event requiring expedited reporting. All such events must be reported in an expedited manner 
using the CTEP Adverse Event Reporting System (CTEP-AERS). In the rare occurrence when 
internet connectivity is lost, a 24-hour notification is to be made to the Alliance Central Protocol 
Operations Office. Once internet connectivity is restored, the 24-hour notification phoned in must 
be entered electronically into CTEP-AERS by the original submitter at the site. 
CTCAE term (AE description) and grade:  The descriptions and grading scales found in the 
NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5.0 will be utilized 
for AE reporting. The CTCAE is identified and located on the CTEP website at: 
ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/electronic_applications/ctc.htm. 
All 
appropriate 
treatment areas should have access to a copy of the CTCAE. All reactions determined to be 
“reportable” in an expedited manner must be reported using the Cancer Therapy Evaluation 
Program Adverse Event Reporting System (CTEP-AERS). 
The Alliance requires investigators to route all expedited adverse event reports through the 
Alliance Central Protocol Operations Office for Alliance coordinated studies.  
Be sure to read this entire protocol section, as requirements are described in both the table and 
bullet points following the table. Note that the additional instructions or exclusions are protocol 
specific, and in the case of a conflict, the additional instructions or exclusions supersede the table.  
Note:  All deaths on study require both routine and expedited reporting regardless of 
causality. Attribution to treatment or other cause should be provided. 
 
 


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Update #6 
10.3.1 Alliance A221102 Reporting Requirements   
Expedited reporting requirements for adverse events that occur on studies under an 
IND/IDE ≤ 30 Days of the last administration of the investigational agent/intervention 1, 2 
FDA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR SERIOUS ADVERSE EVENTS (21 CFR Part 312) 
NOTE:  Investigators MUST immediately report to the sponsor (NCI) ANY Serious Adverse Events, 
whether or not they are considered related to the investigational agent(s)/intervention (21 CFR 
312.64) 
 An adverse event is considered serious if it results in ANY of the following outcomes:   
1) Death 
2) A life-threatening adverse event  
3) An adverse event that results in inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization for ≥ 24 
hours  
4) A persistent or significant incapacity or substantial disruption of the ability to conduct normal life functions  
5) A congenital anomaly/birth defect.  
6) Important Medical Events (IME) that may not result in death, be life threatening, or require hospitalization may 
be considered serious when, based upon medical judgment, they may jeopardize the patient or subject and may 
require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes listed in this definition. (FDA, 21 CFR 
312.32; ICH E2A and ICH E6). 
ALL SERIOUS adverse events that meet the above criteria MUST be immediately reported to the 
NCI via CTEP-AERS within the timeframes detailed in the table below. 
Hospitalization 
Grade 1 
Timeframes 
Grade 2 
Timeframes 
Grade 3 
Timeframes 
Grade 4 & 5 
Timeframes 
Resulting in 
Hospitalization ≥ 24 hrs 
10 Calendar Days 
24-Hour; 
5 Calendar Days 
Not resulting in 
Hospitalization ≥ 24 hrs 
Not required 
10 Calendar Days 
Expedited AE reporting timelines are defined as: 
o “24-Hour; 5 Calendar Days” - The AE must initially be reported via CTEP-AERS ≤24 hours of 
learning of the AE, followed by a complete expedited report ≤5 calendar days of the initial 24-hour 
report. 
o “10 Calendar Days” - A complete expedited report on the AE must be submitted ≤10 calendar days of 
learning of the AE. 
1 Serious adverse events that occur more than 30 days after the last administration of investigational 
agent/intervention and have an attribution of possible, probable, or definite require reporting as follows:  
Expedited 24-hour notification followed by complete report ≤ 5 calendar days for: 
• 
All Grade 4, and Grade 5 AEs  
Expedited 10 calendar day reports for: 
• 
Grade 2 adverse events resulting in hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization  
• 
Grade 3 adverse events 
 


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Update #6 
Note: All deaths on study require both routine and expedited reporting regardless of causality.  
Attribution to treatment or other cause should be provided. 
• 
Expedited AE reporting timelines defined: 
 “24 hours; 5 calendar days” – The investigator must initially report the AE via CTEP-
AERS ≤ 24 hours of learning of the event followed by a complete CTEP-AERS report ≤ 5 
calendar days of the initial 24-hour report. 
 “10 calendar days” - A complete CTEP-AERS report on the AE must be submitted ≤ 10 
calendar days of the investigator learning of the event.  
• 
Use the NCI protocol number and the protocol-specific patient ID provided during trial 
registration on all reports. 
Additional Instructions or Exclusions: 
• 
All adverse events reported via CTEP-AERS (i.e., serious adverse events) should also be 
forwarded to your local IRB. 
• 
Grade 3/4 hematosuppression and hospitalization resulting from such do not require CTEP-
AERS, but should be submitted as part of study results.  
• 
Grade 1-3 nausea or vomiting and hospitalization resulting from such do not require AERS 
reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 nausea or vomiting does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via 
routine AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 diarrhea or constipation and hospitalization resulting from such do not require 
AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting 
• 
Grade 3 diarrhea or constipation does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via 
routine AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 arthralgias or myalgias and hospitalization resulting from such do not require 
AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 arthralgias or myalgias does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via 
routine AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 peripheral edema or weight gain and hospitalization resulting from such do not 
require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 peripheral edema or weight gain does not require AERS reporting, but should be 
reported via routine AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 headache and hospitalization resulting from such do not require AERS reporting, 
but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 headache does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE 
reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 peripheral neuropathy and hospitalization resulting from such do not require 
AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via 
routine AE reporting 


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Update #6 
• 
Grade 1-3 vaginal dryness and hospitalization resulting from such do not require AERS 
reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 vaginal dryness does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine 
AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 menopause and hospitalization resulting from such do not require AERS reporting, 
but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 menopause does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE 
reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 hot flashes and hospitalization resulting from such do not require AERS reporting, 
but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 hot flashes does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE 
reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 fatigue or flu-like symptoms and hospitalization resulting from such do not require 
AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 fatigue or flu-like symptoms does not require AERS reporting, but should be 
reported via routine AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 lymphedema and hospitalization resulting from such do not require AERS 
reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 lymphedema does not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine 
AE reporting 
• 
Grade 1-3 radiation dermatitis or radiation recall and hospitalization resulting from such do 
not require AERS reporting, but should be reported via routine AE reporting.  
• 
Grade 3 radiation dermatitis or radiation recall does not require AERS reporting, but should 
be reported via routine AE reporting 
• 
Treatment expected adverse events include those listed in Section 15.0.  
• 
All other grade 3, 4, or 5 adverse events that precipitate hospitalization or prolong an existing 
hospitalization must be reported via CTEP-AERS. 
• 
Death due to progressive disease should be reported as Grade 5 “Disease progression” in the 
system organ class (SOC) “General disorders and administration site conditions.” Evidence 
that the death was a manifestation of underlying disease (e.g., radiological changes 
suggesting tumor growth or progression: clinical deterioration associated with a disease 
process) should be submitted. 
• 
Any death occurring within 30 days of the last dose, regardless of attribution to the 
investigational agent/intervention requires expedited reporting within 24 hours.  
• 
Any death occurring greater than 30 days after the last dose of the investigational 
agent/intervention requires expedited reporting within 24 hours only if it is possibly, 
probably, or definitely related to the investigational agent/intervention. 
• 
All new malignancies must be reported through CTEP-AERS whether or not they are thought 
to be related to either previous or current treatment. All new malignancies should be reported, 
i.e., solid tumors (including non-melanoma skin malignancies), hematologic malignancies, 
myelodysplastic syndrome /acute myelogenous leukemia, and in situ tumors.  


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Update #6 
• 
Secondary Malignancy:  
A secondary malignancy is a cancer caused by treatment for a previous malignancy (e.g., 
treatment with investigational agent/intervention, radiation or chemotherapy). A secondary 
malignancy is not considered a metastasis of the initial neoplasm.  
CTEP requires all secondary malignancies that occur following treatment with an agent 
under an NCI IND/IDE be reported via CTEP-AERS. Three options are available to describe 
the event:  
• Leukemia secondary to oncology chemotherapy (e.g., acute myelocytic leukemia [AML])  
• Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)  
• Treatment-related secondary malignancy  
Any malignancy possibly related to cancer treatment (including AML/MDS) should also be 
reported via the routine reporting mechanisms outlined in each protocol.  
• 
Second Malignancy:  
A second malignancy is one unrelated to the treatment of a prior malignancy (and is NOT a 
metastasis from the initial malignancy).  Second malignancies require ONLY routine 
reporting unless otherwise specified. 
Whenever possible, the CTEP-AERS reports for new malignancies should include tumor 
pathology, history or prior tumors, prior treatment/current treatment including duration, any 
associated risk factors or evidence regarding how long the new malignancy may have been 
present, when and how it was detected, molecular characterization or cytogenetics of the 
original tumor (if available) and of any new tumor, and new malignancy treatment and 
outcome, if available. 
• 
Pregnancy loss 
• 
Pregnancy loss is defined in CTCAE as “Death in utero.” 
• 
Any Pregnancy loss should be reported expeditiously, as Grade 4 “Pregnancy loss” 
under the Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions SOC. 
• 
A Pregnancy loss should NOT be reported as a Grade 5 event under the Pregnancy, 
puerperium and perinatal conditions SOC, as currently CTEPAERS recognizes this 
event as a patient death. 
• 
A neonatal death should be reported expeditiously as Grade 4, “Death neonatal” under the 
General disorders and administration SOC. 
• 
The reporting of adverse events described above is in addition to, and does not supplant, the 
reporting of adverse events as part of the reporting of the results of the clinical trial, e.g. 
routine reporting. 
10.4 Contact Information for NCI Safety Reporting 
Website for submitting expedited 
reports 
https://eapps-ctep.nci.nih.gov/ctepaers 
AEMD Help Desk (for CTEP)* 
301-897-7497 Monday through Friday,  
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (US Eastern Time) 
Fax for expedited report supporting 
Medical Documentation for CTEP 
trials 
 


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NCI Version Date: 10/09/2018 
 
Update #6 
AEMD Help Email: 
 
Technical (e.g., IT or computer 
issues ONLY) Help Phone* 
 
CTEP-AERS Technical Help Email 
  
CTCAE v4 Help/Questions Email 
 
CTEP-AERS FAQs link 
https://eapps-ctep.nci.nih.gov/ctepaers/help/webhelp/CTEP-
AERS%20FAQ.htm 
CTEP-AERS Computer Based 
Training  link 
https://betapps-ctep.nci.nih.gov/ctepaers/public/login  
*Office phone and fax are accessible 24 hrs per day 7 days a week (The AEMD phone line is staffed from 
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM ET.  Any phone call after these hours will go to voicemail.  
Please leave contact information and the phone call will be returned the following business day. 
 
10.5 Other Required Expedited Reporting 
EVENT TYPE 
REPORTING PROCEDURE 
Other Grade 4 or 5 Events 
and/or Any 
Hospitalizations During 
Treatment Not Otherwise 
Warranting an Expedited 
Report 
Complete a Notification Form: Grade 4 or 5 Non-AER Reportable 
Events/Hospitalization Form electronically via the Remote Data 
Entry System within 5 working days of the date the clinical research 
associate (CRA) is aware of the event(s) necessitating the form. 
If a CTEP-AERS report has been submitted, this form does not need 
to be submitted. 
 
 


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Update #6 
11.0 TREATMENT EVALUATION 
Study endpoints are outlined in section 16.2.  Many of the tools are ones that we have commonly 
used in the symptom intervention program.  We will expand, below, information regarding the 
MENQOL instrument, which we have not previously used.  
To measure sexual outcomes and menopause related quality of life, the Menopause Specific Quality 
of Life Questionnaire, or MENQOL, will be used.  The MENQOL was developed in 199672 to fill a 
void related to menopausal symptoms that other quality of life instruments had. It was initially 
developed with 29 items, but three additional items were added to the physical subscale in 200573.  
There are 4 subscales; sexual, vasomotor, physical and psychosocial.  The MENQOL has been used 
in large US population based studies74, has been validated in a breast cancer population75 and used in 
the MA17 trial where it was able to differentiate women receiving letrozole versus placebo on the 
vasomotor and sexual subscales76.   
We considered other sex specific outcome measures but decided against these as it was felt these 
other instruments were too burdensome, asked intimate questions not germane to the purpose of this 
study, and have not been well validated in breast cancer populations. The MENQOL will provide 
valid data regarding the secondary endpoints libido, (question 27), sexual function (questions 27-29) 
and quality of life through the analysis of each subscale. 
12.0 DESCRIPTIVE FACTORS   
Length of time patients have been on an AI:   <6 months vs. 6—12 months vs. >12 months.   
13.0 TREATMENT/FOLLOW–UP DECISION AT EVALUATION OF PATIENT   
13.1 For patients enrolled prior to Update 3 and receiving testosterone pellets: If the patient doesn’t 
get the second dose of the study agent and agrees to complete the remaining questionnaire 
booklets (up to 6 months), the patient will go to observation. 
If the patient discontinues testosterone topical gel prior to 6 months and agree to complete the 
remaining questionnaire booklets (up to 6 months), the patient will go to observation. 
13.2 If the patient discontinues the anastrozole or letrozole during first three months, the patient will 
not receive second dose of testosterone-anastrozole.  
If the patient discontinues the anastrozole or letrozole at any time, the patient will discontinue 
the use of topical testosterone.  
13.3 For patients enrolled prior to Update 3 and receiving testosterone pellets: If the patient doesn’t 
get the second dose of the study agent and does not agree to complete the remaining 
questionnaire booklets (up to 6 months), the patient will go off study. 
If the patient discontinues testosterone topical gel prior to 6 months and does not agree to 
complete the remaining questionnaire booklets (up to 6 months), the patient will go off study. 
13.4 A patient is deemed ineligible if, after registration, it is determined that at the time of 
registration, the patient did not satisfy each and every eligibility criteria for study entry.   
The patient may continue protocol treatment, at the discretion of the physician, as long as there 
are no safety concerns, and the patient was properly registered.  
• 
If the patient received treatment, all data must be submitted.   
• 
If the patient never received treatment, on-study material must be submitted.  
13.5 A patient is deemed a major violation, if protocol requirements regarding treatment in cycle 1 
of the initial therapy are severely violated that evaluability for primary end point is 
questionable.  All data must be submitted.  The patient will go off study.  The patient may 
continue protocol treatment at the discretion of the physician as long as there are no safety 
concerns, and the patient was properly registered.   


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Update #6 
13.6 A patient is deemed a cancel if he/she is removed from the study for any reason before any 
study treatment is given.  On-study material and the End of Active Treatment/Cancel 
Notification Form must be submitted.  No further data submission is necessary. 
14.0 BODY FLUID BIOSPECIMENS 
14.1 Specimen Registration and Tracking 
USE OF THE ALLIANCE BIOSPECIMEN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BioMS) IS 
MANDATORY AND ALL SPECIMENS MUST BE LOGGED AND SHIPPED VIA THIS 
SYSTEM.  
BioMS is a web-based system for logging and tracking all biospecimens collected on Alliance 
trials. 
Authorized 
individuals 
may 
access 
BioMS 
at 
the 
following 
URL: 
https://bioms.wustl.edu/bioms/login using most standard web browsers (Safari, Firefox, Internet 
Explorer). For information on using the BioMS system, please refer to the ‘Help’ links on the 
BioMS web page to access the on-line user manual, FAQs, and training videos. To report 
technical problems, such as login issues or application errors, please contact: 
 
For assistance in using the application or questions or problems related to specific specimen 
logging, please contact: 
 
After logging collected specimens in BioMS, the system will create a shipping manifest. This 
shipping manifest must be printed and placed in the shipment container with the specimens. 
 
Summary Table of Body Fluid Biospecimens for This Protocol: 
Type of 
biospecimen to 
submit 
Mandatory or 
optional 
When to collect 
Reason for submission 
(background/methodology 
section) 
Where to 
find 
specific 
details for 
specimen 
submission 
Blood/blood 
products 
Mandatory 
Within 104 days 
after registration1 
Genetic Testing (Section 
14.4) 
Section 14.2 
1. Blood draw should be done at the same time as the clinical blood draw, if possible. Will ideally be done ≤7 days 
prior to treatment initiation, but must be done before the end of the 3 month follow-up clinic visit. 
14.2 Blood/Blood Products Handling 
14.2.1 Kits are required for this study.  
• 
Please log into BioMS, and click on “Kit Requests” to order blood specimen kits. 
• 
Kits will be sent via FedEx® Ground at no additional cost to the participating 
institutions.  Allow at least two weeks to receive the kits. 
• 
Kits will not be sent via rush delivery service unless the participating institution 
provides their own FedEx® account number or alternate billing number for express 
service.  The Alliance will not cover the cost for rush delivery of kits. 
• 
Instructions for the collection of samples are included below. Please be sure to use a 
method of shipping that is secure and traceable. Extreme heat precautions should be 
taken when necessary.  
 
 


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Update #6 
14.2.2 Collect and process all whole blood according to specific kit instructions and table 
below. 
 
Summary Table of Research Blood/Blood Products to Be Collected for This Protocol: 
 
1. After all samples have been processed according to kit instructions, ship all specimens according to shipping instructions 
(see Section 14.2.3 for detailed shipping instructions). 
 
14.2.3 Shipping 
• 
All submitted specimens must be labeled with the protocol number (A221102), patient 
number, patient’s initials and date and type of specimen collected (e.g., serum, whole 
blood). 
• 
A copy of the shipping manifest produced by BioMS must be printed and placed in the 
shipment with the specimens. 
• 
Verify ALL sections of the Blood Specimen Submission Form, Biospecimen 
Accessioning and Processing (BAP) Blood Specimen Requisition Form (provided in 
kits), and specimen collection labels are completed and filled in correctly.  For Alliance 
sites, enter information from the Blood Specimen Submission Form into the remote 
data entry system ≤7 days after specimen collection (see Forms Packet). 
• 
Specimen must be shipped the same day it is drawn. 
• 
Ship EDTA tube with a properly prepared cold pack.  See kit instructions for specific 
details for cold pack preparation (i.e., frozen or refrigerated) and proper packing of 
blood and cold pack to avoid freezing of specimen. 
• 
Shipment on Monday through Friday by overnight service to assure receipt is 
encouraged. Do not ship specimens on Saturdays. Samples MUST be sent on the day 
of collection.  
• 
The BAP kits will contain a smart shipper label (white barcoded label) affixed to the 
brown shipping boxes.  The smart shipper label is a pre-addressed return label, which 
replaces the need for an airbill.  Shipping costs will be covered by Alliance if this box 
is used for shipping specimens to BAP. 
• 
Ship samples to the following address: 
  
 
Indicate if 
specimen is 
mandatory 
or optional 
Collection 
tube 
description 
and/or 
additive 
(color of 
tube top) 
Volume to 
collect per 
tube 
(number 
of tubes to 
be 
collected) 
Blood 
product 
being 
processed 
Within 104 
days of study 
entry (ideally 
≤7 days prior 
to starting 
testosterone) 
Process 
at site? 
Storage/ 
shipping 
conditions1 
Mandatory 
EDTA 
(purple) 
10 mL 
(1) 
Whole 
Blood 
X 
No 
Refrigerate/ 
cold pack 
(DO NOT 
FREEZE) 


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Update #6 
 
For questions about blood submission contact: 
 
 
• 
BAP will process specimens according to internal instructions.  
14.3 Other Body Fluids Handling 
None.  
14.4 Study Methodology and Storage Information 
Blood/blood product samples will be collected for the following research   
A recent manuscript published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology looked at genome-wide 
associations and functional genomic studies in women receiving aromatase inhibitors, in a 
prospective clinical trial comparing anastrozole with exemestane77.  Cases were defined as 
patients with grade 3 or 4 musculoskeletal adverse events or those who discontinued treatment 
because of a musculoskeletal event within the first 2 years of this prospective MA.27 clinical 
trial.  A nested case control design was utilized, with 2 controls for each case.  The study involved 
a total of 293 cases and 585 controls.  Genotyping was performed and a total of 551,358 SNPs 
were evaluated.  Four SNPs were identified on chromosome 14 with the most significant p-values 
ranging from 10-6 to 10-7.  T-cell leukemia 1A was the gene closest to the 4 SNPs.  There was 
further data provided in this manuscript that demonstrated that one of the SNPs created an 
estrogen response element.   
The authors of this manuscript concluded that further research was needed to better understand 
the genetic associations with musculoskeletal symptoms in patients receiving aromatase 
inhibitors.   
The current trial will study a group of patients who have substantial musculoskeletal problems 
related to aromatase inhibitors.  We will obtain DNA samples on each of the patients on this 
clinical trial and will plan to evaluate the 4 SNPs which were found to be significantly associated 
with aromatase inhibitor arthralgias in the above noted, recently-published, clinical trial.  We will 
compare the rates of these 4 SNPs in our protocol population vs. the rates of those in population 
controls.  If we see a much higher incidence of these SNPs in our population, this would further 
support the data from Ingle77.  
In addition, the DNA collected in the patients on this clinical trial may be used for looking at 
other genetic associations with aromatase inhibitor arthralgias that might be discovered by other 
groups of investigators.   
• 
DNA will be collected from all the consenting patients.  SNPs determination will 
be performed at the Mayo Clinic Genotyping Shared Resource.  
• 
A portion of the DNA will initially be analyzed as described in 14.4.1.  According 
to patient consent information (see Section 6.1.5), remaining DNA will be stored 
frozen by BAP, until specific analyses are identified.  As protocols are developed, 
they will be presented for Alliance and IRB review and approval.  (This collection 
is part of a general strategy of investigation for the majority of Alliance studies.) 
14.5 Return of Genetic Testing Research Results  
Because the results generated by the genetic testing included in this section are not currently 
anticipated to have clinical relevance to the patient or their family members, the genetic results 


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Update #6 
will not be disclosed to the patients or their physicians. 
If, at any time, genetic results are obtained that may have clinical relevance, IRB review and 
approval will be sought regarding the most appropriate manner of disclosure and whether or not 
validation in a CLIA-certified setting will be required.  Sharing of research data with individual 
patients should only occur when data have been validated by multiple studies and testing has 
been done in CLIA-approved laboratories. 
15.0 DRUG INFORMATION 
Prior to Update #3, patients were treated with a pellet form of testosterone, which was inserted 
via surgical implant.  Effective with the issuance and local IRB approval of Update #3 to this 
protocol, new patients are to be randomized to the topical form of testosterone.  Those patients 
randomized to the pellet form will complete the study according to the original protocol and will 
receive their second pellet as planned.  Please see sections 15.1-15.3 after the shaded area below 
for the topical application information. 
15.1 Testosterone Pellet – Alliance IND #114707 
Testosterone-anastrozole pellets for subcutaneous implantation and placebo pellets for 
subcutaneous implantation.  In addition to the information provided below, more detail is 
provided as appendix XV. 
15.1.1 Background:  
Testosterone is the primary endogenous androgen in both men and women.  Cells in the 
testis, ovary, and adrenal cortex synthesize endogenous testosterone.  Testosterone is used 
for the palliative treatment of carcinoma of the breast in postmenopausal women.  
Testosterone levels decline over the lifespan of both men and women.  Androgen 
production in women declines steeply in the early reproductive years, with the testosterone 
level for a postmenopausal woman about half the normal level for a healthy, nonpregnant 
woman.  Testosterone pellets for subcutaneous implantation have been used in both men 
and women to effectively treat symptoms of testosterone deficiency.  When implanted 
subcutaneously, the pellets slowly release the testosterone for a long acting androgenic 
effect. 
Anastrozole is a selective, non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor which significantly lowers 
serum estradiol concentrations.  In men and postmenopausal women, estrogens are mainly 
derived from the action of the aromatase enzyme, which converts androgens (primarily 
androstenedione and testosterone) to estrone and estradiol.  Anastrozole has been used 
orally as an adjuvant treatment of post-menopausal women with hormone receptor-positive 
early breast cancer, first-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-
positive or hormone receptor unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, or 
treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression 
following tamoxifen therapy. 
 
 


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Update #6 
The testosterone-anastrozole subcutaneous implant may be useful in any patient who would 
benefit from testosterone therapy, but in whom elevated estradiol is not desired or is 
contraindicated.  Absorption of testosterone and anastrozole from the subcutaneous 
implant occurs via uniform erosion of the pellet’s surface providing a near linear release of 
both active ingredients.  There is no first pass hepatic inactivation and all released 
testosterone and anastrozole are absorbed into the circulation. 
15.1.2 Formulation  
Testosterone-anastrozole pellets for subcutaneous/subdermal implantation will be 
compounded to contain 60 mg testosterone and 4 mg anastrozole per pellet, with stearic 
acid as an inactive ingredient.   
15.1.3 Preparation and Storage  
Pellets are stored at controlled room temperature 20 - 25°C, 68-77°F.  Testosterone is a 
CIII controlled substance.  Storage of the pellets must be in compliance with federal and 
state regulations, and site policies, and procedures.  The pellets must be stored in 
pharmacies or physician offices with current Controlled Substance Registration 
Certification.  
15.1.4 Administration   
The testosterone-anastrozole pellets are implanted subcutaneously through a 5 mm incision 
in the upper gluteal region under local anesthesia, using a disposable trocar kit.  The 
incision is closed with a steri-strip. 
15.1.5 Pharmacokinetics  
Testosterone in plasma is 98 percent bound to a specific, testosterone-estradiol binding 
globulin, and about 2 percent is free.  Generally, the amount of binding globulin in the 
plasma will determine the distribution of testosterone between free and bound forms, and 
the free testosterone will determine the half-life.  About 90 percent of a dose is excreted as 
glucuronic and sulfuric acid conjugates of testosterone and its metabolites.  Approximately 
6 percent of each dose is excreted in the feces.    
15.1.6 Potential Drug Interactions:   
There are no known drug interactions with the implanted testosterone-anastrozole pellet. 
15.1.7 Known potential toxicities 
Do not use if the study participant has had previous allergic or adverse reactions to 
anastrozole or testosterone therapy.  Pellet implantation is less flexible for dosage 
adjustment than oral or intramuscular insertions.  If complications arise and the product 
should be discontinued, the pellets would have to be removed (See Appendix XI).   
15.1.8 Study agent procurement   
Jungle 
Jim’s 
Olde 
Fashioned 
Pharmacy, 
Farfield, 
OH 
will 
supply 
testosterone/anastrozole pellets and placebo pellets to the Alliance research base pharmacy. 
Testosterone is a CIII controlled substance.  Investigators who prescribe the testosterone-
anastrozole pellets must have an up-to-date Controlled Substance Registration Certificate 
and must be registered to prescribe CIII substances.  
 
 


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Update #6 
Each participating Alliance institution will order a complete course (two doses) of blinded 
testosterone-anastrozole/placebo pellets from the Alliance Research Base Pharmacy each 
time a study participant is enrolled.  (See Site Ordering Instructions and Order Forms, 
Appendix XII).  Fax the A221102 Clinical Drug Order/Return Form to: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note:  Due to anticipated limited product expiration dating, we will not provide each patient 
with two doses upon enrollment in the trial.  Instead, each participating Alliance institution 
must order the 2nd dose of blinded testosterone-anastrozole/placebo for each enrolled 
patient at least one week prior to the next scheduled dose, by faxing a completed A221102 
Testosterone-anastrozole/Placebo Re-order Form (see Appendix XII) to the registration 
office,
 
Outdated or remaining drug/product should be destroyed on-site per procedures in place 
at each institution.   
15.2 Placebo 
A matching placebo will be provided.  The placebo pellets will be similar in appearance to the 
testosterone-anastrozole pellets.  The placebo pellets will contain approximately 98% USP 
cholesterol and 2% stearic acid.  
15.3 Nursing Guidelines   
15.3.1 The pellet implant will be inserted subcutaneously (SC) using local anesthesia in the upper 
gluteal region. Steri-Strips will be used to close the wound. Instruct the patient to allow the 
Steri-Strips to wear off or peel off naturally or they can be removed after seven-10 days. 
To remove them, gently lift the Steri-Strips from the outside edges toward the center of the 
wound.  
15.3.2 Instruct the patient to report any skin reaction or signs of infection at insertion site to their 
physician or study team member.   
15.3.3  Instruct the patient to report any signs of masculinization or other side effects, although 
no adverse drug events have been reported in previous related studies as of September 
2010. 
15.1 Testosterone Topical Gel – Alliance IND #114707 
Testosterone gel for topical application and placebo gel for topical application.  In addition to the 
information provided below, more detail is provided as Appendix XVII.  
Note: An investigational brochure is not available for the topical testosterone gel formulation as 
this is a compounded product. Refer to a package insert for a similar product (i.e., AndroGel). 
15.1.1 Background  
Testosterone has commonly been provided by topical solution. 
Testosterone gel was originally developed as a topical delivery for men who have low or 
no testosterone.  Native testosterone is absorbed well from the intestine, but it is 
metabolized so rapidly by the liver that it is virtually impossible to maintain a normal serum 
testosterone concentration in a hypogonadal man with oral testosterone. The solutions to 
this problem that have been developed over many years involve modifying the testosterone 


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Update #6 
molecule, changing the method of testosterone delivery, or both.  Testosterone gels are 
generally preferred because they typically result in normal and relatively stable serum 
testosterone concentrations, and most patients prefer them to other preparations. 
15.1.2 Formulation  
Testosterone gel will contain 10.4mg of testosterone per 0.264ml of gel. 
15.1.3 Study agent procurement   
When a patient is randomized to the study, the Alliance Research Base Pharmacy will be 
alerted that a 3 month supply of the study drug is to be sent to the study site upon receipt 
of an order form.  At 2 ½ months, the site will place a reorder of the study drug, using the 
A221102 Testosterone/Placebo Re-Order Form (found in Appendix XII), and the Alliance 
Research Base Pharmacy will send the next 3 month supply. 
15.1.4 Preparation and Storage  
Testosterone gel should be stored at controlled room temperature 20 - 25°C, 68-77°F.  
Testosterone is a CIII controlled substance.  Storage of the gel must be in compliance with 
federal and state regulations, and site policies, and procedures.   
The product will be compounded using the following procedure:  For a 100 mL batch, 
weigh testosterone USP micronized powder (3.939 grams) in an electronic mortar and 
pestle jar. Tare. Add propylene glycol USP (8 mL) and ethyl alcohol 95% (2 mL). Mix 
with the electronic mortar and pestle at speed 5 for 1 minute.  Tare.  Add Versabase ®gel 
(87.57 grams).  Mix with the electronic mortar and pestle at speed 5 for 2 minutes.  Mill at 
finest setting.  Mix with the electronic mortar and pestle at speed 0 for 6 seconds.   Snap 
an electronic mortar and pestle-to-syringe adapter into the electronic mortar and pestle jar.  
Remove plunger of an amber oral syringe before filling.  Package in Accupen® dispensing 
device and label.  The resulting product delivers approximately 378 doses of testosterone 
10.4 mg in 0.264 mL of gel. 
Drug and matching placebo will be compounded at Gateway HealthMart Compounding 
Pharmacy and distributed through the NCCTG Research Pharmacy to NCCTG sites free 
of charge. The testosterone will be delivered by an Accupen® device which will deliver 
testosterone 10.4 mg/0.264 mL in two pumps of the device.  Each pen will contain 13.5 
mL and will dispense 12.5 mL, as approximately 1 mL of product will be left in the pen as 
residual.  This will deliver approximately 47 two pump doses. Two pens will be provided 
to each patient at baseline and refills will be provided to patients during their visit at the 
end of month 3 during the 6 month study period.  
15.1.5 Administration: Directions for Applying Testosterone Topical Gel 
Virilization has been reported in children who were secondarily exposed to testosterone 
gel. Children should avoid contact with unwashed or unclothed application sites in patients 
using testosterone gel. Patients should wash hands immediately with soap and water after 
applying the topical gel and cover the application site(s) with clothing after the gel has 
dried. Patients should wash the application site thoroughly with soap and water prior to any 
situation where skin-to-skin contact of the application site with another person is expected. 
Therefore, patient application instructions have been provided in Appendix XVII.  
15.1.6 Pharmacokinetics  
Testosterone in plasma is 98 percent bound to a specific, testosterone-estradiol binding 
globulin, and about 2 percent is free.  Generally, the amount of binding globulin in the 
plasma will determine the distribution of testosterone between free and bound forms, and 


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Update #6 
the free testosterone will determine the half-life.  About 90 percent of a dose is excreted as 
glucuronic and sulfuric acid conjugates of testosterone and its metabolites.  Approximately 
6 percent of each dose is excreted in the feces.    
15.1.7 Potential Drug Interactions:   
Since androgens can decrease glucose concentrations, they may decrease insulin 
requirements in patients with diabetes.  
For patients on vitamin K antagonists, testosterone may alter coagulation, so that this may 
need to be monitored more. 
Concurrent use of testosterone with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) or 
corticosteroids may lead to increased fluid retention. 
15.1.8 Known potential toxicities 
Do not use if the study participant has had previous allergic or adverse reactions to 
testosterone therapy.  
15.2 Placebo 
A matching placebo will be provided.  The placebo gel will be similar in appearance to the 
testosterone gel.  Since the Versabase® gel base is clear, an agent such as magnesium stearate or 
lactose will be added to the placebo gel to make it white in appearance to match the testosterone 
containing gel. 
15.3 Nursing Guidelines   
15.3.1 A specific patient instruction sheet on how to measure out and apply the gel (avoiding the 
vulvar areas) to maximize surface area and therefore, absorption, is included in the protocol 
in section 15.1.4 as well as Appendix XVII.   
15.3.2 Verbally go through the patient instruction sheet. 
15.3.3 Instruct the patient to report any skin reactions to their physician or study team member.   
15.3.4  Instruct the patient to report any signs of masculinization or other side effects, although 
no adverse drug events have been reported in previous related studies as of September 
2010. 
16.0  STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND METHODOLOGY  
16.1 Study Design  
This is a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial evaluating testosterone for the alleviation 
of aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgia. A parallel group design will be utilized for this two-
arm study: topical testosterone vs. placebo.  
16.1.1 Study Populations 
Intent-to-Treat (ITT) Population: Consists of all randomized patients who had baseline 
pain measurement. Patients missing the 3 month pain measurement will be imputed by the 
last value carried forward (LVCF) method to obtain the primary endpoint. The ITT 
population will be used for the efficacy evaluation at each of the planned analyses.  
Following the intent-to-treat principle, patients will be analyzed according to the treatment 
they were assigned at randomization. 
Safety Population: Consists of all patients who took any randomized treatment and who 
have at least one post-baseline safety assessment.  The safety population will be used in 


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Update #6 
the safety data summaries   Note that a patient who had no adverse events (on the Adverse 
Event CRF) constitutes a safety assessment.  Patients who have received at least one dose 
of study drug but have no post-treatment safety data of any kind would be excluded. 
16.2 Study Endpoints 
16.2.1  Primary endpoint 
The intra-patient change in joint pain at 3 months from baseline as measured by item #3 
(average) of the Brief Pain Inventory for aromatase inhibitor arthralgias (BPI-AIA).  In 
addition, we will explore the following: 
• 
The proportion of women with an improvement (reduced pain) of at least 10 points (on 
a converted 0-100 scale) at 3 months from baseline. 
• 
The intra-patient change in joint pain at 6 months from baseline as measured by item 
#3 (average) of the Brief Pain Inventory for aromatase inhibitor arthralgias (BPI-AIA). 
• 
The intra-patient changes in joint pain at each month from baseline as measured by the 
BPI-AIA.  
16.2.2  Secondary Endpoints 
1) The safety and tolerability of testosterone assessed using CTCAE 4.0 and additional 
questionnaires including:   
• Alopecia as reported by the patient. 
• Acne as reported by the patient. 
• Hirsutism as reported by the patient. 
2) The intra-patient change in joint pain and its interference of activity for each month 
from baseline as measured by item #1 (worst), item #2 (least), item #4 (right now) and 
item #5 (stiffness) item #6A-6G (interference) of the BPI-AIA. 
3) The change of hot flashes during the first two months from baseline as measured by 
hot flash diary (appendix IV). 
4) The change of libido and menopause specific quality of life from baseline as measured 
by MENQOL and POMS monthly.  
5) The minor allele and minor allele frequency (MAF) of SNPs in these postmenopausal 
women with aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgias. 
16.2.3  Exploratory Endpoint 
• 
Differential effects of testosterone in subsets defined by race or ethnicity.  
16.3  Statistical Analysis 
16.3.1 Primary Analysis 
The original 0-10 scale in BPI-AIA will be converted to a 0-100  scale with higher value 
stands for better quality of life.  The two-sample t-test (or nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-
sum test if normality fails) will be applied for comparison of the changes of joint pain at 3 
months between testosterone and placebo arms. Multiple regression model will be 
preferred if more than moderate imbalance between baseline, stratification and other risk 
factors are found. In addition,  
• 
The Fisher’s exact test (or Chi-square test) will be used to compare proportion of 
women with an improvement (reduced pain) of at least 10 points on a converted 0-
100 scale at 3 months from baseline. 


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Update #6 
• 
The repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) model will be used for 
comparison of the monthly changes of joint pain from baseline.  
16.3.2 Secondary Analyses 
Because they will be conducted in an exploratory manner, no adjustment of p-value for 
multiple comparisons from these secondary analyses will be taken. Therefore, 
interpretation of significant results of secondary analyses shall be interpreted accordingly.  
1) Descriptive statistics and statistical plot including frequency (percentage) and histogram 
will be used for summary of safety and tolerability of testosterone and placebo.  
2) The repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) model will be used for 
comparison of the monthly changes from baseline of joint pain, stiffness and its 
interference with activity between two arms. 
3) The area-under-the-curve of hot flash score and frequency will be compared by two-
sample t-test (or nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test if normality fails) between two 
arms. 
4) The repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) model will be used for 
comparison of the monthly changes from baseline of libido and menopause specific 
quality of life. The number of months on an aromatase inhibitor may be considered as 
a covariate in this regression analysis. 
5) Quality control of the genotypes for the 4 SNPs77 will be completed by assessing SNP 
call rates, Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) and subject call rates prior to 
exploratory genetic analysis. SNPs/Subjects will be removed if they fall below pre-
determined thresholds (SNP and subject call rate of 95%, HWE p < 0.001).  The minor 
allele and minor allele frequency (MAF) based on this study will be compared to the 
MAFs of cases (18.9%, N=293) and controls (10.9%, N=585) found in the MA.27 
study77, using the Fisher’s exact test.   
With the planned sample size of 194 patients, we will have approximately 83% power 
to detect a difference of 8.0% in the estimated MAF (assuming it is 18.9%, the same as 
cases in MA.27 study) for the postmenopausal women with substantial aromatase 
inhibitor induced arthralgias in this study and the controls in the MA.27 study with no 
substantial aromatase inhibitor induced arthralgias at the 5% significance level with a 
one-sided Fisher’s exact test. 
16.4 Sample Size and Power Analysis 
In the ART 2 trial, the change of joint pain from baseline (at 3 months) measured by the VAS 
pain instrument were observed as 18.3mm (SD=29.2mm) for placebo arm, and 34.8mm 
(SD=19.0mm) for high dose of testosterone arm. The measurement of  join pain by BPI-AIA 
(item #3) will be converted to a 0-100 scale, a similar but not  identical range as that of the 
VAS pain instrument. We will consider an absolute difference of at least 10 points in the change 
of joint pain between placebo and testosterone arms as clinically meaningful effect size. Because 
we do not have extra  data on BPI-AIA, we assume the variation of the changes from baseline to 
3-month in the BPI-AIA (item #3) will be similar in quantity. 
Based on the primary analysis using a two-sided two-sample t-test (with unequal variance), we 
will have 80% power to detect the above effect size with a total sample size of 194 patients (97 
patients per arm) at the 5% significance level. This sample size is inflated to a total of 224 patients 
(112 patients per arm) to account for  approximately 15% non-evaluable patients due to 
ineligibility, cancel or major violations. 


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16.5 Accrual rate and study duration 
We anticipate accruing approximately 20 patients per month.  This would mean completing 
accrual within 12 months from study initiation and completing double-blind data collection 18 
months from study initiation. 
16.6 Missing data 
We will examine the mechanisms of missing data if the proportion of missing assessments is not 
small (≥5%).  Graphical presentation, correlation analysis and logistic regression will be 
performed to examine whether the missing data mechanism depends on the covariates (patient 
characteristics and other baseline risk  factors), observed patient-reported outcome (PRO) 
scores, and missing PRO scores. 
If the missing data mechanism depends on the covariates only (missing completely at random, 
MCAR) or depends on the covariates and observed PRO scores only (missing at random, 
MAR)35, we will enhance the primary analysis to incorporate these covariates in the repeated 
measures model.  The repeated measures model is a likelihood-based method that using all 
observed data and covariates that explain the missing data mechanism, therefore results in 
unbiased estimates under MCAR and MAR67. 
If the missing data mechanism depends on not only the covariates and observed PRO  scores, 
but also the missing PRO (missing not at random, MNAR)66, we will explore advanced models 
that consider both longitudinal PRO assessments and missing data mechanism, such as pattern 
mixture model68 and selection model69,70.   
Simple and multiple imputation will be used as part of sensitivity analysis to examine the 
dependence of the results on specific assumptions about the PRO scores of individuals with 
missing assessments.  Previous experience with imputation in clinical trials have demonstrated 
that the use of various imputation methods compared to analysis of all available data provides 
evidence of the degree of robustness of the results relative to the assumptions of the analytical 
procedure. 
16.7 Monitoring 
This study will be monitored by the Alliance Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), an 
NCI-approved functioning body.  Reports containing efficacy, adverse event, and administrative 
information will be provided to the DSMB every six months as per NCI guidelines. 
This study will be monitored by the Clinical Data Update System (CDUS) version 2.0.  An 
abbreviated report containing cumulative CDUS data will be submitted quarterly to CTEP by 
electronic means.  Reports are due January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31. 
16.8 Adverse Event Stopping Rule 
The stopping rule specified below is based on the knowledge available at study development. We 
note that the Adverse Event Stopping Rule may be adjusted in the event of either (1) the study 
re-opening to accrual or (2) at any time during the conduct of the trial and in consideration of 
newly acquired information regarding the adverse event profile of the treatment(s) under 
investigation.  The study team may choose to suspend accrual because of unexpected adverse 
event profiles that have not crossed the specified rule below.  CTCAE v4.0 will be used to 
determine grading for these stopping rules. 
Accrual will be temporarily suspended to this study if at any time we observe events considered 
at least possibly related to study treatment (testosterone)(i.e., an adverse event with attribute 
specified as  “possible”, “probable”, or “definite”) that satisfy the following: 


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• 
If 5 or more patients in the first 20 treated patients in the testosterone versus placebo arm (or 
25% of all patients after 20 are accrued) experience a grade 2 or higher non-hematologic 
adverse event, and the toxicity rate is higher in the testosterone arm than the placebo arm. 
We note that we will review grade 4 and 5 adverse events deemed “unrelated” or “unlikely to be 
related”, to verify their attribution and to monitor the emergence of a previously unrecognized 
treatment-related adverse event. 
16.9 Minority Accrual 
This study will be available to all eligible patients, regardless of race or ethnic  origin.  There is 
no information currently available regarding differential effects of testosterone in subsets defined 
by race or ethnicity, and there is no reason to expect such differences to exist. Nonetheless, the 
planned analyses will, as always, look for differences in treatment effect based on racial 
groupings. 
Based on prior studies, we expect about 10% of patients will be classified as minorities by race 
and 100% of patients will be women in the study accrual.  Expected sizes of racial subsets are 
shown in the following table: 
 
Racial Categories 
Ethnic Categories 
Not Hispanic or Latino 
Hispanic or Latino 
 
Total 
Female 
Male 
Female 
Male 
American Indian/Alaska Native 
1 
0 
0 
0 
1 
Asian 
5 
0 
0 
0 
5 
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Black or African American 
26 
0 
0 
0 
26 
White 
184 
0 
8 
0 
192 
More Than One Race 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Total 
216 
0 
8 
0 
224 
 
Racial 
Categories: 
American Indian or Alaskan Native – a person having origins in any of the 
original peoples of North, Central, or South America, and who maintains tribal 
affiliations or community attachment. 
Asian – a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, 
Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, 
China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, 
and Vietnam. (Note: Individuals from the Philippine Islands have been recorded 
as Pacific Islanders in previous data collection strategies.)  
Black or African American – a person having origins in any of the black racial 
groups of Africa. Terms such as “Haitian” or “Negro” can be used in addition to 
“Black or African American.” 
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander – a person having origins in any of 
the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands. 
White – a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the 
Middle East, or North Africa. 
 
17.0  PATHOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS/TISSUE BIOSPECIMENS 
None  


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18.0 RECORDS AND DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES  
Copies of forms and a data submission schedule are also available for download from the study page 
on the Alliance and CTSU Web sites. 
18.1 Data collection and submission 
Patient questionnaire booklets for A221102 are to be ordered prior to the registration of any 
patients. Samples of questionnaires/booklets are available in the protocol appendices for 
reference and IRB submission only. They are not to be used for patient completion. Patient 
assessment questionnaire/booklets must be given to patients to complete and patients should be 
instructed to return the booklets to site staff either in person or by mail.  
The accompanying tables in Section 18.2 detail the forms completion and submission time points.  
18.1.1. Legacy NCCTG 
All legacy NCCTG sites will submit electronic CRFs and enter QOL/Patient Assessment 
Booklet data via the NCCTG Remote Data Entry System.  
18.1.2 Sites Not Previously Affiliated with NCCTG 
For sites that were not previously affiliated with NCCTG, all paper CRFs and QOL/Patient 
Assessment Booklets will be forwarded to the following address: 
 
 
  
18.2 Submission Timetables  
Initial Material(s)  
Case Report Form (CRF) 
Active-Monitoring Phase 
(Compliance with Test Schedule Section 4.0) 
On-Study Form 
 
≤2 weeks  after registration 
Baseline Adverse Event Form 
End of Active Treatment/Cancel Notification 
Form 
Submit ≤2 weeks  after registration if withdrawal/refusal 
occurs prior to beginning protocol therapy 
Research Blood Submission Form (for all 
patients) 
Submit ≤104 days after registration. Will be submitted one 
time only (see section 14.0). 
Baseline (Initial) Patient Questionnaire Booklet  
≤2 weeks after registration - Patient questionnaire booklet 
must be used; copies are not acceptable for this submission. 
Patient Baseline Hot Flash Diary 
≤2 weeks after registration - Patient questionnaire booklet 
must be used; copies are not acceptable for this submission. 
Patient Questionnaire Booklet Compliance 
Form (Hot Flash Diary) 
≤2 weeks after registration - This form must be completed 
only if the Patient Baseline Hot Flash Diary contains 
absolutely NO patient provided assessment information.  
Patient Questionnaire Booklet Compliance 
Form 
≤2 weeks after registration - This form must be completed 
only if the questionnaire booklet contains absolutely NO 
patient provided assessment information 


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Test Schedule Material(s)  
CRF 
 
Active-Monitoring Phase 
(Compliance with Test Schedule Section 4.0) 
 
At each 
evaluation 
during treatment 
At end of 
treatment 
  
Observation4: 
At each evaluation for patients 
who discontinue study agent 
Nurse/CRA Evaluation/Treatment Form 
X3 
X 
X4 
Adverse Event Form 
X 
X 
X 
Nurse/CRA Evaluation/Observation Form 
 
 
X4 
Patient Questionnaire Booklet  
(Months 1 & 2) 
X1 
 X4 
X4 
Patient Questionnaire – Monthly Booklet 
(Months 3 – 6) 
X 
  
X1,4 
Patient Questionnaire Booklet Compliance 
Form 
X2 
  
X2,4 
End of Active Treatment/Cancel 
Notification Form 
 
X 
 
Notification Form – Grade 4 or 5 Non-
AER Reportable Events/Hospitalization 
Form 
At each 
occurrence 
(see Section 
10.0) 
 
 
1. Patient questionnaire booklet must be used; copies are not acceptable for this submission. 
2. This form must be completed only if the Patient Questionnaire Booklet contains absolutely NO patient provided 
assessment information. 
3. Complete at each evaluation during Active Treatment (see Section 4.0). 
4. Will only be submitted if patient discontinues study agent and is completing booklet questionnaires (see section 
13.0). 
19.0  BUDGET 
19.1 Costs charged to patient:  Routine clinical care 
19.2 Tests to be research funded:  None 
19.3 Other budget concerns:  Study agent and placebo will be provided to the patient free of charge.     
 
 


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86. 
Buster JE, Kingsberg SA, Aguirre O, et al: Testosterone patch for low sexual desire in surgically 
menopausal women: a randomized trial. Obstetrics and gynecology 105:944-52, 2005 
87. 
Shifren JL, Braunstein GD, Simon JA, et al: Subcutaneous testosterone treatment in women 
with impaired sexual function after oophorectomy. The New England journal of medicine 
343:682-8, 2000 
88 
Javanbakht M, Singh AB, Mazer NA, et al: Pharmacokinetics of a novel testosterone matrix 
subcutaneous system in healthy, premenopausal women and women infected with the human 
immunodeficiency virus. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 85:2395-401, 
2000 
89. 
Barton DL, Wender DB, Sloan JA, et al: Randomized controlled trial to evaluate subcutaneous 
testosterone in female cancer survivors with decreased libido; North Central Cancer Treatment 
Group protocol N02C3. Journal of the National Cancer Institute 99:672-9, 2007 
90. 
Kingsberg S: Testosterone treatment for hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal 
women. The journal of sexual medicine 4 Suppl 3:227-34, 2007 
91. 
Herbst KL, Calof OM, Hsia SH, et al: Effects of subcutaneous testosterone administration on 
insulin sensitivity, fat mass and distribution, and markers of inflammation and thrombolysis in 
human immunodeficiency virus-infected women with mild to moderate weight loss. Fertility 
and sterility 85:1794-802, 2006 
92. 
Davis SR, Moreau M, Kroll R, et al: Testosterone for low libido in postmenopausal women not 
taking estrogen. The New England journal of  medicine 359:2005-17, 2008 
93. 
Administration USDoHaHSFaD: Guidance for Industry Drug Products Containing Ensulizole, 
Hypromellose, Meradimate, Octinoxate, and Octisalate — Labeling Enforcement Policy, in 
(CDER) USDoHaHSFaDACfDEaR (ed), 2003 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX I: CONSENT FORM 
 
A221102, Randomized Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Study of Testosterone 
in the Adjuvant Treatment of Postmenopausal Women with Aromatase 
Inhibitor Induced Arthralgias 
 
This is an important form.  Please read it carefully.  It tells you what you need to know about this research 
study.  If you agree to take part in this study, you need to sign this form.  Your signature means that you 
have been told about the study and what the risks are.  Your signature on this form also means that you 
want to take part in this study. 
 
This is a clinical trial, a type of research study.  Your study doctor will explain the clinical trial to 
you.  Clinical trials include only people who choose to take part.  Please take your time to make your 
decision about taking part.  You may discuss your decision with your friends and family.  You can 
also discuss it with your health care team.  If you have any questions, you can ask your study doctor 
for more explanation. 
 
You are being asked to take part in this research study because you were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 
are receiving a treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI), either anastrozole or letrozole (which is standard 
treatment, not research), and are now experiencing joint symptoms.   
 
Why is this research study being done? 
It is well known that treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) can cause side effects that result in 
symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, which can interfere with activities of daily living.  In some 
patients, the treatment has to be stopped because of these symptoms.   
 
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects, good and/or bad, of the study agent, testosterone, with 
a placebo (an inactive agent) on joint pain caused by taking aromatase inhibitors. The testosterone/placebo 
is a gel that will be applied to the body in non-fat pad areas. In this study, you will receive either the 
testosterone or placebo.  You will not receive both.   
 
The study agent, testosterone, used in this study is considered investigational, which means it has not been 
approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for routine clinical use.  However, the FDA has 
allowed the use of this agent for this research study.   
 
How many people will take part in the research study? 
About 224 people will take part in this study. 
 
What will happen if I take part in this research study? 
 
Before you begin the study …  
You will be receiving a treatment with an aromatase inhibitor (AI), such as anastrozole or letrozole, for 
your breast cancer.     
 
You will need to have the following exams, tests or procedures to find out if you can be in the study.  These 
exams, tests or procedures are part of regular cancer care and may be done even if you do not join the study.  
If you have had some of them recently, they may not need to be repeated.  This will be up to your study 
doctor. 
 


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• 
Medical history and physical exam, including height and weight and rating of how well you 
perform activities of daily living. 
• 
Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement (height and weight).  
• 
Routine blood tests (liver tests and other tests your doctor thinks should be done).   About 2 
teaspoons of blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm for the blood tests. 
 
During the study… 
If the exams, tests and procedures show that you can be in the study, and you choose to take part, then you 
will need the following tests and procedures:   
• 
Complete a booklet of questionnaires (about 15 - 30 minutes).  This booklet contains several 
sets of questionnaires that will ask about possible side effects, and other related symptoms such 
as joint aches, pains, and menopausal symptoms.  You will complete this booklet of 
questionnaires when you are first enrolled in the study and then monthly for 6 months after you 
start the study treatment. 
• 
You will also complete a hot flash daily diary every day for one week before you start study 
treatment and every day for 2 months after you start study treatment.  You will be asked about 
the number and intensity or severity of your hot flashes over each 24 hour period. 
• 
Research blood tests.  This research blood test will only be obtained one time and is required. 
Ideally, the blood will be drawn after you go on the study and within 7 days before starting 
treatment, but must be done before the end of your 3 month follow-up exam.  This may be done 
at the same time as routine blood tests that your doctor has requested. Two (2) teaspoons of 
blood will be drawn for research purposes.  This amount will be in addition to how much blood 
your doctor needs.  You will have the option of allowing a portion of this blood sample to be 
used in future research.  Your options are described later in this form. This research test will 
look at genetic material.  Because the genetic tests in this study are not used for regular medical 
care, you will not be told the results of the test. The test results will not be put in your medical 
record either.  
 
The following will be done at your month 3 and month 6 exam visits and is part of your regular cancer care. 
• 
Medical history and physical exam, including height and weight and rating of how well you 
perform activities of daily living.  
 
You will be "randomized" into one of the study groups described below.  Randomization means that you 
are put into a group by chance, as in the flip of a coin. A computer program will place you in one of the 
study groups.  Neither you nor your doctor can choose the group you will be in. You will have an equal 
chance of being placed in any group.    
 
If you are in group 1    
During the first week of the study, you will not receive any study medication.  You will complete 
a daily diary this week.  The daily diary should not take longer than 5 minutes to complete each 
day.  The daily diary will ask you about the number and intensity or severity of your hot flashes 
over each 24 hour period.   
 
Starting the second week of the study, you will receive the study agent, testosterone, as a topical 
gel that will be applied using a pen dispenser to non-fat pad areas of the body, including tops of the 
feet, top of the chest, behind the knees, or inner forearms. The location of the body should be 
changed with each application and should never be applied to open sores, wounds, or irritated skin. 
Instructions for using the pen dispenser will be given to you by the study nurse.  You will continue 
to complete the daily diary for 2 months. After the first 2 months, you will no longer complete the 
daily diary.  You will complete a booklet of questionnaires at the end of each month for a total of 


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6 months.  The monthly questionnaire should not take longer than 15 – 30 minutes to complete. 
This questionnaire will ask about possible side effects, and other related symptoms such as joint 
aches and pains. You will get a pre-addressed envelope to return your questionnaires to your 
healthcare provider. 
 
If you are in group 2     
During the first week of the study, you will not receive any study placebo.  You will complete a 
daily diary this week.  The daily diary should not take longer than 5 minutes to complete each day.  
The daily diary will ask you about the number and intensity or severity of your hot flashes over 
each 24 hour period.   
 
Starting the second week of the study, you will receive the placebo as a topical gel that will be 
applied using a pen dispenser to non-fat pad areas of the body, including tops of the feet, top of the 
chest, behind the knees, or inner forearms.  The location of the body should be changed with each 
application and should never be applied to open sores, wounds, or irritated skin.  Instructions for 
using the pen dispenser will be given to you by the study nurse.  You will complete the daily diary 
for 2 months.  After this first 2 months, you will no longer complete the daily diary.  You will 
complete a booklet of questionnaires at the end of each month for a total of 6 months.  The monthly 
questionnaire should not take longer than 15 – 30 minutes to complete. This questionnaire will ask 
about possible side effects, and other related symptoms such as joint aches and pains.  You will get 
a pre-addressed envelope to return your questionnaires to your healthcare provider. 
 
Study Schedule 
 
Months 
Testosterone/Placebo   
Questionnaires 
Pre-
Treatment 
Week 
No study testosterone/placebo  this week 
 
Daily Hot Flash Diary,  
Return questionnaires at end of 
the week 
1-3 
Start applying testosterone/placebo daily 
Complete Daily Hot Flash 
Diary for 2 months and also 
monthly questionnaire,  
Return questionnaires at the end 
of each month 
End of 
Month 3 
Continue applying topical testosterone/placebo 
Clinic visit and return 
questionnaires 
4-6 
Continue applying topical testosterone/placebo 
Monthly questionnaire, 
Return questionnaires at the end 
of each month  
 
 
Someone from the study team will call you at the end of week 2 to see how you are doing and to answer 
questions.  You will also be called monthly (except for the months when you are seen at the clinic) for 6 
months to see how you are doing and to answer questions.   
 
If during the study you have to stop taking your AI (anastrozole or letrozole), you will discontinue 
testosterone application, but we ask that you continue to complete the questionnaires for the full 6 months. 
 
How long will I be in the research study? 
You will be in the study for 6 months.    


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Can I stop being in the research study? 
Yes.  You can decide to stop at any time.  Tell the study doctor or nurse if you are thinking about stopping 
or decide to stop.    
 
It is important to tell the study doctor if you are thinking about stopping to discuss what follow-up care and 
testing could be most helpful for you. 
The study doctor may stop you from taking part in this study at any time if he/she believes it is in your best 
interest; if you do not follow the study rules; or if the study is stopped. 
 
What side effects or risks can I expect from being in the research study? 
You may have side effects while on the study.  Everyone taking part in the study will be watched carefully 
for any side effects.  However, doctors don’t know all the side effects that may happen. Side effects may 
be mild or very serious.  Your health care team may give you medicines to help lessen side effects.  Many 
side effects go away soon after you stop taking the study agent.   In some cases, side effects can be serious, 
long lasting, or may never go away.  There also is a risk of death. 
 
You should talk to your study doctor about any side effects that you have while taking part in the study. 
Risks and side effects related to the testosterone include those which are: 
 
Likely 
• 
Increase in oily skin 
• 
Acne   
 
Less Likely   
• 
Facial hair  
• 
Deepening of the voice  
• 
Fluid retention  
• 
Increase in blood pressure  
• 
Changes in liver function  
• 
Increase in cholesterol or lipids  
• 
Increase in blood sugar 
 
Rare but serious 
• 
Blood clot  
 
In a study of a similar product, 2% of the patients reported a rash on the area where the gel had been applied. 
 
There is a theoretical risk that administration of testosterone could stimulate tumor growth.  
 
There are potential drug interactions between testosterone and the following drugs:  
cyclosporine, anticoagulants, or insulin.  Therefore you will not be eligible to start this study if you are 
receiving any of them.  If you need to start them after starting the study, which is not very likely if you are 
not on such drugs now, your physician can advise you.   
 
You should wash hands immediately with soap and water after applying the gel and cover the area with 
clothing after the gel has dried. You should also wash the area thoroughly with soap and water if you are 


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going to have skin-to-skin contact with another person. Children should avoid contact with areas of the 
body that are unwashed or that are not covered with clothes. 
  
As with any medication, allergic reactions are a possibility. 
 
The risks of drawing blood include pain, bruising or rarely infection at the needle site. 
 
Some questions you will be asked to answer in the study questionnaire(s) may make you feel uncomfortable.  
You may choose not to answer any questions that make you feel uncomfortable. 
 
For more information about risks and side effects, ask your study doctor. 
 
Are there benefits to taking part in the research study? 
Taking part in this study may or may not make your health better.  While doctors hope the testosterone will 
be useful in lessening the joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitor therapy, there is no proof of this yet.  We 
do know that the information from this study will help doctors learn more about using testosterone for the 
joint pain caused by aromatase inhibitors.  This information could help future cancer patients or patients 
with joint pain. 
 
What other choices do I have if I do not take part in this research study? 
You do not have to be in this study to receive treatment for your joint pain. 
 
Your other choices may include: 
• 
Getting treatment or care for your joint pain without being in a study 
• 
Taking part in another study 
• 
Getting no treatment 
  
Talk to your doctor about your choices before you decide if you will take part in this study. 
 
Will my medical information be kept private? 
We will do our best to make sure that the personal information in your medical record will be kept private.  
However, we cannot guarantee total privacy.  Your personal information may be given out if required by 
law.  If information from this study is published or presented at scientific meetings, your name and other 
personal information will not be used. 
 
Organizations that may look at and/or copy your medical records for research, quality assurance, and data 
analysis include: 
• 
Alliance Researchers 
• 
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other government agencies, like the Food and Drug 
Administration (FDA), involved in keeping research safe for people 
• 
The Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU), a service sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) 
to provide greater access to cancer trials 
 
[Note to Local Investigators: The NCI has recommended that HIPAA regulations be addressed by the local 
institution.  The regulations may or may not be included in the informed consent form depending on local 
institutional policy.] 
 
What are the costs of taking part in this research study? 


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The study agents, testosterone and placebo, will be provided free of charge while you are taking part in this 
study.    
 
You will not need to pay for tests and procedures which are done just for this research study.  This test is: 
• 
Research blood test(s) 
 
However, you or your insurance company will need to pay for blood tests that are used for routine clinical 
care. 
 
You and/or your health plan/ insurance company will need to pay for some or all of the costs of treating 
your cancer in this study.  Some health plans will not pay these costs for people taking part in studies.  
Check with your health plan or insurance company to find out what they will pay for.  Taking part in this 
study may or may not cost your insurance company more than the cost of getting regular cancer treatment. 
 
You will not be paid for taking part in this study. 
 
For more information on clinical trials and insurance coverage, you can visit the National Cancer Institute’s 
Web site at http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/understanding/insurance-coverage.  You can print a copy of the 
“Clinical Trials and Insurance Coverage” information from this Web site. 
 
Another way to get the information is to call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) and ask them to send 
you a free copy. 
 
What happens if I am injured because I took part in this research study? 
It is important that you tell your study doctor, __________________ [investigator’s name(s)], if you feel 
that you have been injured because of taking part in this study.  You can tell the doctor in person or call 
him/her at __________________ [telephone number]. 
 
You will get medical treatment if you are injured as a result of taking part in this study.  You and/or your 
health plan will be charged for this treatment.  The study will not pay for medical treatment. 
 
What are my rights if I take part in this research study? 
Taking part in this study is your choice.  You may choose either to take part or not to take part in the study.  
If you decide to take part in this study, you may leave the study at any time.  No matter what decision you 
make, there will be no penalty to you and you will not lose any of your regular benefits.  Leaving the study 
will not affect your medical care.  You can still get your medical care from our institution. 
 
We will tell you about new information or changes in the study that may affect your health or your 
willingness to continue in the study. 
 
In the case of injury resulting from this study, you do not lose any of your legal rights to seek payment by 
signing this form. 
 
Who can answer my questions about the research study? 
You can talk to your study doctor about any questions or concerns you have about this study.  Contact 
your study doctor __________________ [name(s)] at __________________ [telephone number]. 
 
For questions about your rights while taking part in this study, call the ________________________ [name 
of center] Institutional Review Board (a group of people who review the research to protect your rights) at 
__________________ [telephone number].  [Note to Local Investigator: Contact information for patient 


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representatives or other individuals in a local institution who are not on the IRB or research team but take 
calls regarding clinical trial questions can be listed here.] 
 
Please note:  This section of the informed consent form is about additional 
research studies that are being done with people who are taking part in the 
main study.  You may take part in these additional studies if you want to.  You 
can still be a part of the main study even if you say ‘no’ to taking part in any of 
these additional studies. 
 
You can say “yes” or “no” to each of the following studies.  Please mark your 
choice for each study. 
 
About Using Blood for Research 
You have had blood drawn as part of this research study.  We would like to keep some of the blood samples 
that are left over for future research.  If you agree, this blood will be kept and may be used in research to 
learn more about cancer and other diseases.  Your blood may be helpful for research whether you do or do 
not have cancer.   
The blood will be sent to laboratories associated with Alliance, where the tests will be done.     The results 
of these tests will not be sent to you or your study doctor and will not be used in planning your care.  These 
tests are for research purposes only and you will not have to pay for them. 
 
Things to Think About 
The choice to let us keep the left over blood for future research is up to you.  No matter what you decide to 
do, it will not affect your care. 
If you decide now that your blood can be kept for research, you can change your mind at any time.  Just 
contact us and let us know that you do not want us to use your blood.  Then any blood that remains will no 
longer be used for research. 
In the future, people who do research may need to know more about your health.  While Alliance may give 
them reports about your health, it will not give them your name, address, phone number, or any other 
information that will let the researchers know who you are. 
Sometimes blood is used for genetic research (about diseases that are passed on in families).  Even if your 
blood is used for this kind of research, the results will not be put in your health records. 
Your blood will be used only for research and will not be sold.  The research done with your blood may 
help to develop new products in the future. 
Benefits 
The benefits of research using blood samples include learning more about what causes cancer and other 
diseases, how to prevent them, and how to treat them. 
Risks 
The greatest risk to you from the use of your blood sample is the possible release of information from your 
health records.  We will do our best to make sure that your personal information will be kept private.  The 
chance that this information will be given to someone else is very small. 


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Making Your Choice 
Please read each sentence below and think about your choice.  After reading each sentence, mark "Yes" or 
"No".  If you have any questions, please talk to your doctor or nurse, or call our research review board at 
the IRB's phone number.  
No matter what you decide to do, it will not affect your care. 
1. My blood sample(s) may be kept for use in research to learn about, prevent, or treat cancer.  
 
 
  Yes 
  No  
Please initial here: ________  
Date: ________ 
 
2. My blood sample(s) may be kept for use in research to learn about, prevent or treat other  
health 
problems (for example: diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, or heart disease). 
 
 
  Yes 
  No  
Please initial here: ________  
Date: ________ 
 
If you want your sample(s) destroyed at any time, contact your study doctor. 
 
The Alliance has the right to end storage of the sample(s) without telling you. 
 
The sample(s) will be stored at the Research Base at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  Outside researchers 
may one day ask for a part of your sample(s) for studies now or future studies. 
How do outside researchers get the sample? 
Researchers from universities, hospitals, and other health organizations do research using blood and tissue.  
They may contact the Alliance Research Base and ask for samples for their studies.  The Alliance looks at 
the way that these studies will be done, and decides if any of the samples can be used.  The Alliance sends 
the samples and some information about you to the researcher.  The Alliance will not send your name, 
address, phone number, social security number, or any other identifying information to the researcher.  If 
you allow your sample(s) to be given to outside researchers, it will be given to them with a code number.  
If researchers outside the Alliance use the sample(s) for future research, they will decide if you will be 
contacted and, if so, they would have to contact the researchers at the Alliance.  Then the Alliance will 
contact the clinic where you registered for this study, who will contact you. 
 
Please read the following statements and mark your choice: 
3. I permit Alliance to give my sample(s) to outside researchers: 
 
  Yes 
 
  No  
Please initial here: 
 
 
Date: 
 
 
Where can I get more information? 
 
You may visit the NCI Web site at http://cancer.gov/ for more information about studies or general 
information about cancer. You may also call the NCI Cancer Information Service to get the same 
information at: 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237). 
 
A description of this clinical trial will be available on http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov, as required by U.S. 
Law. This Web site will not include information that can identify you. At most, the Web site will include 
a summary of the results. You can search this Web site at any time. 
 


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You will get a copy of this form.  If you want more information about this study, ask your study 
doctor. 
 
I have been given a copy of all _____ [insert total of number of pages] pages of this form.  I have read 
it or it has been read to me.  I understand the information and have had my questions answered.  I 
agree to take part in this study. 
 
 
Printed Participant Name: __________________________________________ 
 
Participant Signature: ______________________________________________ 
 
Date: _____________________________________ 
 
Printed name of person obtaining informed consent:  
 
__________________________________________ 
 
Signature of person obtaining informed consent: 
 
___________________________________________ 
 
 
Date _____________________________________ 
 
Local IRB changes to this document are allowed.  Sections “What are the risks of the research study” or 
“What other choices do I have if I don’t take part in this research study?” should always be used in their 
entirety if possible.  Editorial changes to these sections may be made as long as they do not change 
information or intent.  If the institutional IRB insists on making deletions or more substantive modifications 
to these sections, they may be justified in writing by the investigator and approved by the IRB.  Under these 
circumstances, the revised language and justification must be forwarded to the Alliance Central Protocol 
Operations Office for approval before a patient may be registered to this study. 
 
Consent forms will have to be modified for each institution as it relates to where information may be 
obtained on the conduct of the study or research subject.  This information should be specific for each 
institution. 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX II: PATIENT INFORMATION SHEETS 
 
(Initial Booklet - before baseline week)   
PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET 
Patient Completed Quality of Life Booklet 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________  
You have been given a booklet to complete for this study.  The booklet contains some questions to 
help us better understand how the treatment you are receiving is affecting the way you feel. 
 
1. The booklet contains 5 sets of questions you will complete when you go on this study, before you 
start the study treatment. 
 
2. Directions on how to complete each set of questions are written on the top of each set. 
 
3. You will complete the 
a. Symptom Experience Questionnaire 
b. Profile of Mood States (POMS) 
c. Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) 
d. Modified Brief Pain Inventory for Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Arthralgia 
e. Menopause Specific Quality of Life 
 
4.  Please return this booklet to your study staff when you are done.  
 
We would like to thank you for taking the time to help us. 
 


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(Baseline-WEEK 1) 
PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET 
Patient Completed Quality of Life Booklet 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________  
You have been given a booklet to complete for this study.  The booklet contains some questions to  
help us better understand how the treatment you are receiving is affecting the way you feel. 
 
You will not receive any study medication this week. 
 
1. The booklet contains sets of questions you will complete the first week on study, before you 
 
start the study treatment. 
 
2. Directions on how to complete each set of questions are written on the top of each set. 
 
3. Every day during the first week you will complete the Hot Flash Diary  
a. The Hot Flash Diary is very important for this study and should be completed daily.  
 
b. On page 2 of this booklet, you will find examples of the different hot flash intensities: 
 
mild, moderate, severe, and very severe hot flash.  This is to help you to decide the 
 
intensity of your hot flash, but it is not an absolute rule.  Your hot flashes may differ in 
 
some ways or may fall just between two descriptions.  Try to get as close as you can, but 
 
do not worry if your hot flashes do not match exactly what is given.   
 
c. It has been helpful for some patients to carry a small notebook and pen with them to 
 
record their hot flashes during the day, then to sit down every evening, and transfer their 
 
numbers to the diary.  Keeping track on a small notebook or paper during the day is the 
 
best way to more precisely keep track of the number of hot flashes you are having.  
 
d.  Write any comments on the bottom of the diary if you wish. 
 
4. It is very important that you return the booklet to us, whether you finish the study or not. 
 
5. At the end of week 1:  Return the booklet that you completed in the envelope provided. 
 
We would like to thank you for taking the time to help us. 
 


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(Treatment Booklet for the FIRST 2 months)  
PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET 
Patient Completed Quality of Life Booklet 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________  
You have been given a booklet to complete for this study.  The booklet contains some questions to 
help us better understand how the treatment you are receiving is affecting the way you feel. 
 
  
 
1. The booklet contains a Hot Flash Diary that you will complete every day during the month. It also 
contains 5 sets of questions you will complete at the end of the month. 
 
2. Directions on how to complete each set of questions are written on the top of each set. 
 
3. Every day during the month you will complete the Hot Flash Diary  
a. The Hot Flash Diary is very important for this study and should be completed daily.  
 
b. On page 2 of this booklet, you will find examples of the different hot flash intensities: 
 
mild, moderate, severe, and very severe hot flash.  This is to help you to decide the 
 
intensity of your hot flash, but it is not an absolute rule.  Your hot flashes may differ in 
 
some ways or may fall just between two descriptions.  Try to get as close as you can, but 
 
do not worry if your hot flashes do not match exactly what is given.   
 
c. It has been helpful for some patients to carry a small notebook and pen with them to 
 
record their hot flashes during the day, then to sit down every evening, and transfer their 
 
numbers to the diary.  Keeping track on a small notebook or paper during the day is the 
 
best way to more precisely keep track of the number of hot flashes you are having.  
 
d.  Write any comments on the bottom of the diary if you wish. 
  
4. At the end of the month, you will complete the:  
a. Symptom Experience Questionnaire 
b. Profile of Mood States (POMS) 
c. Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) 
d. Modified Brief Pain Inventory for Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Arthralgia 
e. Menopause Specific Quality of Life 
 
5. It is very important that you return the booklet to us, whether you finish the study or not. 
 
6. At the end of the month: Return the booklet that you completed in the envelope provided. 
 
We would like to thank you for taking the time to help us. 
 


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(Treatment Booklet Monthly AFTER first 2 months) 
PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET 
Patient Completed Quality of Life Booklet 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________  
You have been given a booklet to complete for this study.  The booklet contains some questions  to 
help us  better understand how the treatment you are receiving is affecting the way you feel. 
 
  
 
1.  The booklet contains 5 sets of questions you will complete at the end of the month. 
 
2. Directions on how to complete each set of questions are written on the top of each set. 
 
3. At the end of the month, you will complete the:  
a. Symptom Experience Questionnaire 
b. Profile of Mood States (POMS) 
c. Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale (HFRDIS) 
d. Modified Brief Pain Inventory for Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Arthralgia  
e. Menopause Specific Quality of Life 
 
4. It is very important that you return the booklet to us, whether you finish the study or not. 
 
5. At the end of the month: Return the booklet that you completed in the envelope provided. 
 
 
 
 
 
We would like to thank you for taking the time to help us. 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX III: PATIENT INFORMATION SHEET FOR HOT FLASH DIARY  
 
Hot Flash Definitions for the Female Patient 
Patient Information Sheet 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________  
 
Please refer to these examples of hot flashes that have been given by cancer survivors in previous studies 
when describing their hot flash severity.  One or more of these descriptions may help to categorize your 
hot flash as mild, moderate, severe, or very severe. 
 
Mild 
 
Physical symptoms:   
Warmth, felt uncomfortable, red face 
 
Emotional symptoms:   
Not expected 
 
Action needed:   
 
Usually no action taken 
 
Moderate 
 
Physical symptoms:  
Head, neck, ears, or whole body felt warm; tense, tight muscles; clammy 
 
(wet) skin; a change in heart rate or rhythm (heart speeds up or changes 
 
beat); some sweating; dry mouth 
 
Emotional symptoms:  
Felt irritated, felt agitated (restless), felt as though energy was drained 
 
out, felt embarrassed when having a hot flash in front of others, felt 
 
tired, felt annoyed 
 
Action needed:   
 
Needed to use a fan, awakened sometimes at night, needed to uncover,  
 
 
took off layers of clothing, drank water, opened the windows even when  
 
 
cold outside, lighter clothing 
Severe 
 
Physical symptoms:   
Warmth, sometimes described as a raging furnace or burning up; a 
 
change in heart rate or rhythm (heart speeds up or changes beat); felt 
 
faint; headache; severe sweating; weakness, a prickling, stinging 
 
sensation over skin; chest heaviness 
 
Emotional symptoms:   
Embarrassment, anxiety, feelings of having a panic attack 
 
Action needed:   
 
Needed to stop what was being done at that time, usually awakened at  
 
 
night and removed covers, needed to remove clothes, opened windows,  
 
 
kept the house a cool temperature, frequently used fans 
Very Severe 
 
Physical symptoms:   
Boiling heat, rolling sweat, difficulty breathing, felt faint, felt dizzy, feet 
 
and/or legs cramping, a change in the heart rate or rhythm (heart speeds 
 
up or changes beat), felt slightly sick to stomach 
 
Emotional symptoms:  
Felt distressed, had the urge to escape, had difficulty functioning 
 
Action needed:   
 
Awakened frequently at night, needed to change sheets and pajamas,  
 
 
needed to take a cold shower, needed to hold ice on skin 
 


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APPENDIX IV: PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE -HOT FLASH DIARY  
 
Hot Flash Diary 
 
Directions:   
 
The hot flash diary is divided into 7 sections, one for each day of your week. 
1. 
Write the date your week started in the spaces provided.   
2. 
Write the days of the week in the top row of each section. 
3. Every day, fill out the diary for that day. 
• 
In the # (number) column, write in the number of mild, moderate, severe and very severe 
hot flashes you had that day in the box next to the hot flash type. Please enter a ‘0’ (zero) if you 
had no  hot flashes of a specific type.  
 
 See page 2 of this booklet for the definitions of each type of Hot Flashes.   
 
 
Day:  
 Tuesday 
# 
Type 
0 
mild 
2 
moderate 
3 
severe 
0 
very 
severe 
 
Date week started:  __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __ 
 
 
        month    day          year 
 
 
*A day should be considered to be a 24-hour period (i.e. 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. or midnight to midnight) 
 
 
Day:  
 
 
Day:  
 
 
Day: 
 
 
Day: 
 
 
Day: 
 
 
Day: 
 
 
Day: 
 
 
# 
Type 
# 
Type 
# 
Type 
# 
Type 
# 
Type 
# 
Type 
# 
Type 
 
mild 
 
mild 
 
mild 
 
mild 
 
mild 
 
mild 
 
mild 
 
moderate 
 
moderate 
 
moderate 
 
moderate 
 
moderate 
 
moderate 
 
moderate 
 
severe 
 
severe 
 
severe 
 
severe 
 
severe 
 
severe 
 
severe 
 
very 
severe 
 
very 
severe 
 
very 
severe 
 
very 
severe 
 
very 
severe 
 
very 
severe 
 
very 
severe 


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APPENDIX V: PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE -SYMPTOM EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE  
 
Symptom Experience Questionnaire 
 ____________________________________________________________________________________  
INSTRUCTIONS:  Please complete at the end of each study month by circling the one number for each item 
below that best describes you. 
 
1. Over the past week, have you experienced stomach pain or cramps? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
2. Over the past week, have you experienced diarrhea (loose stools)? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
3. Over the past week, have you experienced nausea? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
4. Over the past week, did you experience dizziness? 
 
 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
5. Over the past week, did you experience an undesirable decrease in your appetite? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
6. Over the past week, did you experience fatigue? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
7. Over the past week, did you experience abnormal sweating? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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8. Over the past week, did you experience trouble sleeping? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
9. Over the past week, did you experience negative mood changes? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
10. Over the past week, have you had trouble concentrating? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
11. Over the past week, how distressing are hot flashes? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
12. Over the past week, did you experience a deepening of your voice? 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
13. Over the past week, have you experienced unwanted weight gain? 
 
  
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
14. Over the past week, have you had any acne-type rash? 
 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
15. Over the past week, did you experience any swelling of your hands or feet? 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
16. Over the past week, did you experience any undesirable hair growth? 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 


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17. Over the past week, did you experience any undesirable scalp hair loss (male pattern baldness)? 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Not 
at all 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As bad as 
it can be 
 
 
18. Did you experience any other symptoms this past week that were not mentioned above? 
 
 
 
No_______    Yes_______     
 
 
If so, please describe______________________________________________________________ 
 
 


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APPENDIX VI: PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE -PROFILE OF MOOD STATES (POMS) 
 
Profile of Mood States (POMS) 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX VII: PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE -HOT FLASH RELATED DAILY INTERFERENCE SCALE 
 
HOT FLASH RELATED DAILY INTERFERENCE SCALE (HFRDIS) 
  
 
Please circle one number to the right of each phrase to describe how much DURING THE PAST 
WEEK, hot flashes have INTERFERED with each aspect of your life. 
 
 
 
Do not 
interfere 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interfere 
 
1. Work (work outside the 
home and housework) 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
2. Social activities (time 
spent with family, friends, 
etc.) 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
3. Leisure activities (time 
spent relaxing, doing 
hobbies, etc.) 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
4. Sleep 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
5. Mood 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
6. Concentration 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
7. Relations with others 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
8. Sexuality 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
9. Enjoyment of life 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
10. Overall quality of life 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
 
 
Carpenter, J.S. (2001).  The Hot Flash related Daily Interference Scale:  A tool for assessing the impact of 
hot flashes on quality of life following breast cancer. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 22(6), 
979-989 
 
 


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APPENDIX VIII: PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE - MODIFIED BRIEF PAIN INVENTORY FOR AROMATASE 
INHIBITOR INDUCED ARTHRALGIA 
Modified Brief Pain Inventory for Aromatase Inhibitor Induced Arthralgia 
Please answer these questions as they relate to symptoms regarding your joints that you think is from 
your aromatase inhibitor breast cancer medication. 
 
1. Please rate your pain by circling the one number that best describes your pain from your aromatase 
inhibitor breast cancer medication at its WORST in the last 24 hours. 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
No 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pain as bad  
pain 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
as you can imagine 
 
2. Please rate your pain from your aromatase inhibitor breast cancer medication by circling the one 
number that best describes your pain at its LEAST in the last 24 hours. 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
No 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pain as bad  
pain 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
as you can imagine 
 
3. Please rate your pain by circling the one number that best describes your pain from your aromatase 
inhibitor breast cancer medication on the AVERAGE. 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
No 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pain as bad  
pain 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
as you can imagine 
 
4. Please rate your pain by circling the one number that best tells how much pain from your aromatase 
inhibitor breast cancer medication that you have RIGHT NOW. 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
No 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pain as bad  
pain 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
as you can imagine 
 
5. Please rate your joint stiffness by circling the one number that best describes any joint stiffness from 
your aromatase inhibitor breast cancer medication on the AVERAGE. 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
No 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joint stiffness as bad  
joint stiffness 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
as you can imagine 
 
6. Circle the one number that describes during the past 24 hours how pain from your aromatase inhibitor 
breast cancer  medication has interfered with your: 
 
 
A. General Activity 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
B. Mood 


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0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
C. Walking Ability 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
D. Normal work includes both work outside the home and housework 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
E. Relations with other people 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
F. Sleep 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
G. Enjoyment of life 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
Does 
not 
interfere   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Completely 
interferes  
 
7. Think about the pain in your joint(s) that you did not have prior to starting anastrozole or  
 
 
letrozole, how much of this pain have you had over this past week? (circle one number)? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
No pain  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pain, as 
bad as it 
can be 
Answer the following question only if you have started the study treatment:  
 
8. In the last 24 hours how much RELIEF has the study agent provided (compared to what you had prior 
to starting study medication)?  
Please circle the one percentage that most shows how much relief you have received. 
 
0%    10%      20%    30%  40% 
50% 60% 70% 
80% 
90% 
100% 
No 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Complete 
relief 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
relief 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX IX: PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE - MENOPAUSE SPECIFIC QUALITY OF LIFE (MENQOL)   
Menopause Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) 
 
For each of the following items, please indicate whether you have experienced the problem in the PAST 
WEEK.  IF you have experienced the problem, please indicate how much you have been bothered by it.       
 
 
1. Over the past week, have you been bothered by hot flashes or flushes? (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by hot flashes or flushes? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
2. Over the past week, have you been bothered by night sweats?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by night sweats? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
3.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by sweating?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by sweating? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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4.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by dissatisfaction with your personal life?    
(circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by dissatisfaction with your personal life? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
5.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by feeling anxious of nervous?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by feeling anxious or nervous? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
6.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by poor memory?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by poor memory? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
7.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by accomplishing less than you used to?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by accomplishing less than you used to? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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8.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by feeling depressed, down or blue?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by feeling depressed, down or blue? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
9.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by being impatient with other people?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by being impatient with other people?   
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
 
10.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by feelings of wanting to be alone?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by feelings of wanting to be alone? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
11.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by flatulence (wind) or gas pains?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by flatulence (wind) or gas pains? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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12.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by aching in muscles and joints?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by aching in muscles and joints? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
13.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by feeling tired or worn out?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by feeling tired or worn out? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
14.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by difficulty sleeping?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by difficulty sleeping? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
 
15.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by aches in back of head or neck?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by aches in back of head or neck? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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16.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by decrease in physical strength?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by decrease in physical strength? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
17.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by decrease in stamina?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by decrease in stamina? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
18.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by lack of energy?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by lack of energy? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
19.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by dry skin?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by dry skin? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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20.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by weight gain?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by weight gain? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
   
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
21.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by increased facial hair?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by increased facial hair? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
22.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by changes in appearance, texture or tone of your skin?  
(circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by changes in appearance, texture or tone of your skin? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
23.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by feeling bloated?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by feeling bloated? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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24.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by low backache?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by low backache? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
25.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by frequent urination?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by frequent urination? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
26.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by involuntary urination when laughing or coughing?   
(circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by involuntary urination when laughing or coughing? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
27.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by a decrease in your sexual drive?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by a decrease in your sexual drive? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 


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28.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by vaginal dryness?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by vaginal dryness? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
29.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by avoiding intimacy?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by avoiding intimacy? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
30.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by breast pain or tenderness?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by breast pain or tenderness? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
31.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by vaginal bleeding or spotting?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by vaginal bleeding or spotting? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 


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32.  Over the past week, have you been bothered by leg pains or cramps?  (circle no/yes) 
 
No 
 
Yes 
 
If yes, how bothered are you by leg pains or cramps? 
 
0 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
Not at all 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
Extremely 
bothered 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX X: NURSE/CRA PHONE CONTACT GUIDE 
 
Nurse/CRA Phone Contact Guide 
 
Patient Phone No. _________________________  
Best Dates/Times to call_______________________ 
 
FOLLOW UP: 
 
 
1. Phone call schedule:  Call patient at home monthly to document compliance, encourage completion of 
the booklet, and address problems.  If the patient is seen in clinic, this phone call can be omitted.  
•      It is important to reinforce “real time” capture of hot flashes and daily completion of  
 
diary as well as weekly side effects on symptom experience questionnaire. 
 
2. Items to document: 
 
Date of phone call 
 
Study week 
 
Questions/Comments 
 
AE assessment every 3 months 
 
If the patient reports any side effects, please document:  
o Side effects: 
 
Thromboembolic event - Severity and attribution, if applicable 
 
Hirsutism - Severity and attribution, if applicable 
 
Acne - Severity and attribution, if applicable 
 
Any others - Severity and attribution, if applicable. 
 
3. Reinforce compliance with study medication.   
 
4. Reinforce completion of questionnaires and request return of them at end of each month.  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX XI: TESTOSTERONE SAFETY ISSUES 
 
Testosterone Safety Issues 
1)  Breast cancer-specific safety.  
a) Animal studies 
Zhou et al.22 examined the long-term effects of estrogen (E) exposure in the presence and absence of 
progesterone (P) or testosterone (T) on mammary epithelial cell proliferation and steroid receptor gene 
expression in oophorectomized rhesus monkeys. Mammary epithelial proliferation (MEP) was measured 
using the Ki-67 index. In the presence of E alone, there was a 6-fold increase in MEP and a 50% increase 
in ER mRNA expression. Similar results were found in E plus P treated animals. In contrast, the 
combination of E plus T decreased MEP by 40% when compared with E alone 22. The combination of E 
plus T also completely inhibited the E-induced increase in ER mRNA expression. This study demonstrates 
the anti-proliferative and anti-estrogenic effects of exogenously administered T, and supports the concept 
that T can have a protective effect against breast cancer development by down-regulating ER mRNA 
expression and reducing epithelial cell proliferation. 
 
Dimitrakakis et al.37 also investigated the role of long-term hormonal replacement on oophorectomized 
monkeys treated with E, E + P, E + T or placebo. In the E alone and E + P groups, there was a 3.5-fold 
increase in MEP, while in the E + T group there was no increase in the MEP above placebo. Estrogen binds 
to both ER-alpha and ER-beta; ER-alpha receptor stimulates cell proliferation whereas ER-beta may inhibit 
proliferation. In the E group, the ratio of ER-alpha/ER-beta was 2.5. In the presence of T, this ratio 
decreased to 0.7, suggesting the anti-prolifertive effects of T may be via interactions with ER-beta. In 
addition, this study evaluated the role of flutamide, an AR antagonist, and found that it resulted in a two-
fold increase in MEP. These findings support the hypothesis that endogenous androgens suppress the 
growth of mammary epithelium and, therefore, result in reduced susceptibility to cancer-promoting agents 
in these cells. Of note, is the recently recognized importance of ER-beta in reducing the risk of hormonal 
failure with long-term endocrine therapies, thus the importance of continued exposure of hormonal 
responsive tumors to T 38. 
 
b) Endogenous androgens and breast cancer risk 
i) De-novo cancer risk 
Many studies have shown that endogenous levels of estrogen and T exhibit a positive correlation with the 
development of breast cancer 39-42. However, despite the fact that estrogens are derived from androgens, 
few studies have controlled for estrogen as a possible confounder when studying the effect of T on the 
breast. In most of the studies that have controlled for estrogen, the relative risk (RR) of T exposure 
decreases, and may become non-significant. Zeleniuch-Jacquotte et al 43,44 performed two studies over a 
period of seven years on in postmenopausal women. The RR of T and breast cancer was found have an 
odds ratio (OR) of 2.7 for the highest quartile of serum T. However, after controlling for both E and percent 
of E bound to SHBG, the risk dropped to 1.2 and was no longer significant. In a continued analysis of this 
cohort with additional matched cases, the OR for breast cancer associated with the doubling of T was found 
to be 1.23 (P=0.001). After adjusting for E, this OR decreased to 1.17 (P-0.04), and after adjusting for 
estrone, the OR decreased to 1.08 and was non-significant (P=0.31).  
 
Additionally, the Endogenous Hormones and Breast Cancer Collaborative group performed a meta-analysis 
of the results of nine case-control studies performed prior to 2002 45 examining sex hormones and breast 
cancer risk. The analysis found an overall increased risk of breast cancer with each of the hormones studied 
and that the risk increased in a dose–dependent manner. When comparing the hormone levels from the 
highest quintile to the lowest quintile, the RR of breast cancer for T was 2.22 (CI 1.59–3.10), DHEA RR 
2.04 (CI 1.21–3.45) and E 2.00 (CI 1.47–2.71), (P<0.02), while SHBG had a RR of 0.66 (confidence 


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interval [CI] 0.42–1.00). E positively correlated with T (r=0.37), DHEA (r=0.20) and DHEA-S (r=0.29). 
After adjusting for E, the RR of breast cancer with doubling of T decreased from 1.42 to 1.32 (CI 1.15–
1.51). For DHEA and DHEA-S, the RR also decreased from 1.24 to 1.19 (CI 0.98–1.45) and 1.20 to 1.15 
(CI 1.04–1.27), respectively. The reductions in RR after adjusting for E provides further evidence that, 
when assessing hormonal trends, T needs to be adjusted for the independent effects of E. Of note, T was 
measured in seven of the nine studies and only two of these seven studies had a sample size of >100. The 
largest study included in this meta-analysis was a nested case-control study from the Nurse’s Health Study, 
in which a significant association between DHEA-S and breast cancer (RR 2.15, CI 1.11–4.17) was found, 
but no relationship between T or DHEA and breast cancer risk  39. This was also confirmed in a cross-
sectional analysis of women in the Nurse’s Health Study that found that breast cancer risk was not 
associated with any of the androgens and, interestingly, that T and free-T levels were approximately 30% 
lower among women with a hysterectomy when compared to those without (p < 0.01) 46. This low T level 
in women that have had their ovaries removed is in keeping with the a recent study that showed a low 
bioavailable T levels in post-menopausal women with breast cancer, many who have had had total 
hysterectomies or who have had chemotherapy induced ovarian ablation 47. In this study, T levels were 
determined from saliva, thus representing tissue T rather than serum T. Obviously this could be the result 
of therapeutic intervention, but validates our concerns about the low levels of bio-available T in women 
with breast cancer. 
 
ii) Recurrence Risk 
In women that have had breast cancer, the recurrence risk is not associated with serum T levels. In a nested 
case-control cohort study from a randomized diet trial (Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study), 
recurrence free survival in women followed for more than 7 years after diagnosis was determined according 
to baseline serum concentrations of E, T, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). In 153 case-control 
pairs of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, there was a significant increased risk for reduced 
survival time to recurrence with  increased baseline total E [hazard ratio (HR), 1.41  95% CI, 1.01-1.97], 
bioavailable E (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.53), and free estradiol (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03-1.65). These 
concentrations were significantly associated with risk recurrence. In women who relapsed in the follow-up 
period, the average total E concentration was double that in women who did not have recurrence during the 
period (22.7 versus 10.8 pg/mL; P = 0.05). T and SHBG concentrations did not differ between cases and 
controls and were not associated with risk for recurrence48. 
 
c) Polycystic ovaries and breast cancer risk 
The natural physiological example of hyperandrogenism in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome 
(PCOS) can be used to elucidate the role of endogenous T in breast cancer. In a case-control study by 
Gammon et al. 49 with over 4700 matched subjects, the age-adjusted OR for breast cancer in self-reported 
physician-diagnosed PCOS was 0.52 (CI 0.32 –0.87). Using data available from this patient population, 
evidence suggests that an elevation of endogenous T does not increase breast cancer risk and, further, that 
the significantly reduced OR with increasing levels of T suggests a protective effect. When adjusted for age 
at first birth, history of infertility, number of spontaneous abortions before first birth and menopausal status, 
the OR for breast cancer with increasing levels of T decreased to 0.47 (CI 0.25–0.85). In addition, in a 
prospective cohort study with six years follow-up, there was no increased risk of breast cancer in patients 
with PCOS after adjusting for cofounders, such as age at menarche, parity and age at menopause, with the 
RR being 1.0 (CI 0.6–1.9) 36. 
 
d) Exogenous androgen and breast cancer risk 
 
i) Retrospective studies 
In a retrospective observational study, of women receiving HRT and implantable T pellets and followed 
for an average of 5.8 years50, the incidence of breast cancer (per 100,000 woman-years) was less than that 
reported in the Women’s Health Initiative and the Million Women’s studies, which followed women treated 
with HT without T. Although this study sample size was small and the study design lacked a concurrent 


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control group, the breast cancer rate was similar to that in women that had never used HT after adjusting 
for age. 
 
Additionally, Ewertz et al. 51 performed a case-control study in 1486 women with breast cancer and 1336 
controls. Woman completed a self-reported questionnaire on their use of sex hormones. With the sequential 
therapy of E+P there was not a significant increase in risk of breast cancer RR 1.36 (CI 0.98–1.87). The RR 
of breast cancer with estrogens plus androgen use was 2.31 (CI 1.37–3.88) and with estrogen, progesterone 
and androgen, there was no increased risk RR 1.26 (CI 0.58–2.74). This study did not control for estrogen 
to assess for the risk of androgens alone. The authors noted that 23% of the women did not state the brand 
name of the hormone they were receiving, therefore, leading to more cautious interpretations of the 
analyses. 
 
In a case-control study by Brinton et al. 52 there was no increased risk of breast cancer with estrogen use at 
varying doses or in combination with T, with the RR for E and methyltestosterone being 1.05 (CI 0.6–1.8). 
In addition, when compared with non-users of hormones, the risk of breast cancer with 10 or more years of 
use of conjugated equine estrogens with methyl- testosterone was decreased, with a RR of 0.66, although 
the finding was not statistically significant.  
 
ii) Prospective studies 
In the first randomized study to directly measure the effects of T on breast cell proliferation in 
postmenopausal women, Hofling et al. 53 randomized women starting HRT with E+P to either subcutaneous 
T delivered via a patch or versus a placebo treatment. Fine needle aspiration breast tissue biopsies were 
taken at baseline and six months and the ki-67 proliferative index of both the epithelial and stromal cells 
were determined There was a five-fold increase in breast cell proliferation after six months in women on 
placebo patch when compared to baseline values.   There was no significant difference between the six 
month and baseline proliferation index in breast tissues from women who were randomized to the T 
treatment. These results are consistent with those reported from animal studies, which support the 
hypothesis that androgens play a role in suppressing the proliferation effects of E and P on mammary cell 
lines (reviewed in 54). 
 
The Nurses’ Health Study 55 was a large prospective cohort study that analyzed the association between 
combined estrogen and androgen therapies and development of breast cancer. Over the 24-year follow-up, 
representing 1,359,323 person-years, 4610 cases of breast cancer were found among postmenopausal 
women. Analysis gave an adjusted RR of breast cancer of 1.77 (CI 1.22–2.56) for women taking estrogen 
and T when compared to those never using hormones, and a RR of 1.58 (CI 1.44–1.73) for women taking 
E+P when compared to those who never took hormones. There was no statistically significant difference 
found between these two RRs. For women taking E only there was a 1.15 RR (CI 1.05–1.27) of breast 
cancer when compared to those who never took hormones, while for women taking T alone there was no 
significant increased RR 2.69, (CI 0.86–8.43). There was were only 3 cases of breast cancer reported in this 
group with 360 person-years, compared with the estrogen only arm with 246,830 person years. This study 
was never designed to compare the relationship between androgens and breast cancer. In addition, there 
was a reversal of the anticipated positive association between the duration of hormone use and the risk of 
breast cancer; in those women who used T for less than five years had an 81% increase in risk (RR 1.81, 
CI 1.21–2.70), while women who used T for greater than five years had a non-significant increased risk 
(RR 1.96, CI 0.93-4.14). Some of the design flaws in this study relate to the duration and the type of 
hormones used. Since follow-up took place with questionnaires every two years, if a woman answered the 
survey as ‘yes’ to starting on T in any of the time periods, despite being on E+P or estrogen only for a 
decade or more, she was then placed into the T group. In addition, if that same woman used only T for four 
weeks, it was counted as a two-year period since the follow-up surveys occurred every two years. The latest 
evaluation of E + T HRT in the Women’s Health Initiative failed to reveal any increase risk of breast cancer 
56 and they could not substantiate the findings of the Nurses Health Study 55. Long-term E+T usage in the 


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WHI study revealed a non-significant RR of 1.02 (CI, 0.58-1.78) (reviewed in 57. 
 
The latest evaluation of E + T HRT in the Women’s Health Initiative failed to reveal any increased risk of 
breast cancer 56 and they could not substantiate the findings of the Nurses Health Study 55. Long-term E+T 
usage in the WHI study revealed a non-significant RR of 1.02 (CI, 0.58-1.78) (reviewed in 57. 
 
The largest study evaluating the safety of methyl-T in HRT was a post-marketing analysis done by Solvay 
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., on the Estratest brand used between January 1989 and August 2002 58.Exposure to 
the Estratest brand during the 13-year assessment period is estimated at >3.0 million patient-years. A total 
of 1372 unique case reports containing 2556 AEs were found and there was no evidence of increased breast 
cancer incidence prevalence. 
 
iii) Testosterone only therapy and breast cancer risk 
There are limited studies on this subject but the most important include subcutaneous application for low 
libido, transgender studies and treatment of existing breast cancer with androgens 
 
Subcutaneous application 
One of the emerging surrogate end-points for breast cancer risk is mammographic density and many 
exogenous hormones have been associated with an increase in density. A recent randomised placebo-
controlled study of 52 weeks of subcutaneous T alone or with E demonstrated no increase in mammographic 
density59. In another prospective analysis of combined HRT, an increase in mammographic density was 
recorded in approximately 50% of the women. Increased density showed a positive correlation with 
estradiol, estrone, and SHBG and showed a negative association to free T60. As well, a retrospective cohort 
study of 631 women ever treated with subcutaneous T alone for low libido between January 1989 and 
December 2007 demonstrated no associated increase in breast cancer 61. 
 
Transgender studies 
Another illustration of the effect of T on the breast is female-to-male (FTM) transgenderism, in which 
genotypic women are treated with doses of T that result in serum levels in the mid-normal male range57. 
Analysis of mastectomy tissue from 29 women who had received prolonged androgen exposure prior to 
transgender surgery revealed no histological features suggestive of breast cancer or precancerous cellular 
changes62. There were no differences in the morphology or number of acini and ducts, or the amount of 
fibrosis, or numbers of cysts, estrogen or progesterone receptors, or apocrine metaplasia, when compared 
to mammoplasty tissue from women on no therapy. The only difference observed was an increase in non-
specific microcalcifications in the tissues from the women on the prolonged androgen exposure. Another 
prospective study conducted between 1975 and 2006, studied 876 FTM transsexuals who were on long-
term treatment with T. There were no cases of breast cancer reported 63. 
 
Androgen as a treatment for breast cancer 
Testosterone proprionate,64 fluoxymesterone,65 and calusterone, a 17-methylated active androgenic, have 
all been evaluated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer, used since the 1950s. The prevalence of 
remission (if use rate indicate time – preferable in this sentence) ranged from 20–50% in cohorts, which is 
equivalent to other endocrine-modulating therapies66. In a phase III trial, fluoxymesterone and tamoxifen 
was evaluated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. In this trial, the 
remission rates was 15% for tamoxifen alone, and 38% in patients on fluoxymesterone and tamoxifen 
(P=0.016). This result suggests that T is an independent antiproliferative agent with regards to breast 
cancer67. In preclinical animal models, it has been shown that the predominant mechanism of androgen 
action is due to a direct interaction of the androgen with the AR within the breast cancer cell, rather than a 
perturbation in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis66. Previous studies have shown that AR is 
commonly expressed at high levels in breast cancer tissue (reviewed in68. In a recent Nurses Health Study, 
a positive association was found between AR status (or levels?) of breast cancer tissues and duration of 


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survival of breast cancer patients, and that this association was dependent on the ER status of the tissues. 
In particular, AR expression was associated with a more favorable prognosis among women with ER-
positive tumors69. In addition, a recent study of 3093 tissue microarrays prepared from breast cancer tissue 
from women in the Nurses' Health Study found that 64% of tissues were luminal A, 15% luminal B, 6% 
HER2 positive and 11% basal-like with the frequency of AR expression varying significantly across these 
molecular phenotypes (P<0.0001). In particular, high AR expression was commonly found in luminal A 
(91%) and B (68%) cancers, but was less frequent in HER2 cancers (59%). Among 246 cases of ductal 
carcinoma in situ, 86% were AR positive, but the frequency of AR expression differed significantly across 
the molecular phenotypes (P=0.001), and high nuclear grade lesions were less likely to be AR positive 
compared with lower-grade lesions70.  
 
The important consideration for this current proposed study is that AR,  as a ligand target, is only present 
in these AR+/ER+ tumors that would be receiving the AI/T combination, as the inclusion criteria includes 
patients with tumors that are positive for ER and PR and thus have a good prognosis. Therefore, 
maintenance of AR levels in the tumor is appears to be beneficial and there is are good data to support the 
hypothesis that prolonged exposure to T increases the levels of AR within breast tumors71.  
 
e) in vitro studies of androgen treatment in breast cancer cell lines 
i) Breast cancer cell lines 
Studies on androgens and breast cell line proliferation have multiple variables that affect the outcome of 
those these studies. The predominant data, however, show that androgens have apoptotic and 
antiproliferative effects (reviewed in 9). It should be noted that cell line studies examine only the effect of 
hormones directly added to the culture medium. It is well recognized the importance all the stromal and 
supporting tissue in the hormonal regulation of breast tumors. Especially This is especially important when 
considering aromatase action, as it is well know that aromatase is present in all cellular components making 
up a breast tumor. To this end we tested the AI/T combination in a whole tumor explant system.  This is 
explained in more detail below in section 2b. 
 
2) Aromatase inhibitor efficacy 
 
a) Human trials of AI and T  
 By far the most common usage of this combination has been for men using anabolic steroids and using AI 
to block the induction of gynaecomastia as a consequence of estrogen. As this is an illicit activity, little has 
been published on the pharmacokinetics of this combination in men.  By far the most extensive use of this 
drug combination has been in studies by Dr Susan Davis at the Monash University, Australia aimed at 
reducing postmenopausal symptoms in women. In these studies, AI has been used to   help determine the 
effect of aromatization of T to estrogen plays in T replacement therapy.  In one double-blind randomized 
placebo-controlled trial of T replacement in postmenopausal women, increases in total and free T in the 
physiologic range in postmenopausal women were associated with improved sexual satisfaction, well-
being, and mood. In this study, AI therapy did not influence any of these outcomes, implying that these 
affects of T were mediated by the AR. Short-term subcutaneous T therapy did not modify fasting lipids, 
lipoprotein, or C-reactive protein 26. Recently, Glaser evaluated the efficacy of subcutaneous anastrozole 
and T, in two 3.1 x 6.1 mm implants containing a total of 120 mg testosterone and 8 mg of anastrozole, 
implanted in the upper gluteal area of 55 post-menopausal women with breast cancer 72. Serum levels of T 
and E were measured 2 weeks following implantation. They concluded that T/anastrozole therapy was 
effective in treating symptoms of androgen (hormone) deficiency. In all but 5 of 75 T/anastrozole patients, 
serum estradiol levels measured < 30 pg/ml with therapeutic T levels (mean: 281, range: 120-518 ng/dl). A 
single patient had an estradiol level > 40 pg/ml, but a subsequent level in the same patient measured < 30 
pg/ml. No adverse drug events were recorded from subcutaneous T/anastrozole therapy in over 110 
implantations. No relapses in symptoms were diagnosed at up to 3 years of therapy and there was no 
progression of disease in 2 patients with metastasis 72. In another trial investigating T with an AI, 21 


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postmenopausal women with breast cancer who were on AIs and with had symptoms of vaginal atrophy 
were treated with T cream applied to the vaginal epithelium daily for 28 days. Ten women received a dose 
of 300 μg, 10 received 150 μg, and one was not evaluable. E and T levels, symptoms of vaginal atrophy, 
and results of gynecologic examinations and pH and vaginal cytology before and after therapy were 
compared. E levels remained suppressed to <8 pg/mLml. after treatment. A 4-week course of vaginal T was 
associated with a reduction in symptoms of vaginal atrophy related to AI therapy, without increasing 
estradiol levels 73. 
 
b) Human explant study 
In this study using a novel breast tumor explant model, breast tumor tissue excised at surgery qA was 
incubated in the presence of T and T+anastrazole.  Of 26 tumor explants, epithelial cell proliferation, as 
measured by the ki67 Ki-67 index, decreased in 24 of them in the presence of T when compared to vehicle 
control treated tissue, but the decrease was only significant in 7 tissues. This decrease in proliferation also 
occurred in the same tissues treated by T + anastrozole. When the same tissues were incubated with T and 
an androgen antagonist, there was no significant decrease in Ki-67, suggesting that the reduction in cell 
proliferation was secondary to a direct interaction of the androgen with the androgen receptor. In two of the 
tumor tissues, there was an increase in the proliferative index with T alone. When these tissues were 
incubated with T + anastrazole, there was no increase in profileration, and there was no effect of an 
androgen antagonist on this response.  This finding suggests that this increase in proliferation was secondary 
to conversion of T to E74 
 
c) Human breast cancer cell-lines 
Two recent studies in ER+ cell lines have demonstrated that any increase in the proliferation of human 
breast cancer cells, that may occur in the presence of T, is the result of aromatase conversion of T to E. The 
increase in proliferation was reversed by the addition of ER antagonists and AIs, and was unaffected by the 
addition of AR antagonists. At physiological concentrations, DHT had no effect on proliferation 75,76.  Of 
equal importance is the finding that T reduces aromatase levels in human breast cancer cell lines 75. This 
physiological feedback mechanism has been noted in several other tissues and is of importance when 
examining the efficacy of an AI in combination with T. Indeed, Dr Angela Brodie’s group have has reported 
findings that suggest that part of the mode of action of AIs in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis 
of breast cancer cells is via the un-masking of the androgen/AR interaction within the cell 30. 
 
3) General safety issues with testosterone replacement 
 
The general safety issues of T replacement are best addressed in the application of Proctor and Gamble to 
the FDA for the Intrinsa patch in the women with low libido. This slide set is an accurate analysis of the 
data available in 2004 www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/04/slides/2004-4082S1_03_P&G-Intrinsa.ppt 
One of the major concerns about T replacement is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite the entrenched 
belief that higher blood levels of T increase the risk of CVD in women, data from recent observational 
studies mostly show an inverse relationship between testosterone and CVD risk (reviewed in 77). The largest 
study to date, examining the safety of T replacement comes from the Solvay Pharmaceuticals Inc. safety 
study, which failed to demonstrate any clinically important side-effects 58. 
 
4) General comment regarding safety of testosterone/aromatase inhibitor combination.  
It is of increasing concern that the gold standard endocrine treatment for breast cancer has switched from 
tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors when such a significant side-effect is resulting in severe compliance 
problems. The 40% dropout in the active treatment arms on AIs in the recent MA27 trial is almost 
unprecedented in an adjuvant setting 78. Compliance in the IBISI trial of tamoxifen in the chemoprevention 
of breast cancer was 85% at five years in healthy women.  Therefore, although it is well known that 
compliance is an issue with both tamoxifen and AIs, if 40% of women drop out of a clinical trial, it causes 
pause to consider what the “real-world” compliance rate must be. Therefore, when evaluating the relative 
dangers of the addition of T to women with AI-induced arthropathy, it must be weighed up against the 


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potential increase in mortality and morbidity from cessation of proven hormonal therapy.  It is not known 
how many of the women dropping out of AI therapy will actually take up alternative endocrine treatment. 
As well, although vitamin D and calcium supplementation is being investigated as a modality for treatment 
of AI induced arthropathy, there are recent concerns about an apparent excess of cardiovascular events in 
women on long-term use of these agents. This is of particular importance when there are signs of adverse 
lipid events occurring with AIs 79. 
 
Much of the concern regarding testosterone and breast cancer is because of the potential for T to be 
converted to E2 by aromatase within serum and in tissues.  The elegance of the T/AI combination therapy 
is that the possibility for this conversion to occur is eliminated, thus ensuring available T and allowing the 
evaluation of the therapeutic effect of T. We believe that there is ample evidence that T does not initiate or 
promote breast cancer or reduce the efficacy of AIs and indeed T may add the potential for additional 
therapeutic effect due to the inhibitory effect of T, or its more active 5-alpha reductase metabolite DHT, in 
the breast.  
 
1. Agent selection:  
COMMENT:  Justification for the dosage of the subcutaneous testosterone is not clear, as well as how it 
relates (dosage, concentration) to the two dosages used in the ART 2 phase II trial.  More discussion is 
needed on whether the subcutaneous route of administration produces serum concentrations similar to the 
injected and oral forms of testosterone.  In describing the formulation, the investigators refer to 8% 
octisalate, but never discuss this component.  
 
RESPONSE:   
In the ART2 trial 80, oral TU was used due to the ease of access to the compound. There was a clear benefit 
of using TU at a dose of 80mg versus 40mg in terms of both the clinical response and serum T levels 
achieved; these being more commensurate with that of premenopausal woman. However, the need to 
refrigerate the compound, the variability in serum levels achieved and the possible need to administer twice 
daily doses meant that a other routes may be preferred for both pharmacokinetic and convenience reasons. 
The subcutaneous spray formulation provides advantages over oral administration and circumvents some 
of the drawbacks of subcutaneous patches.  
 
In addition to orally (through the buccal mucosa), T may also be administered by insertion, by or 
subcutaneous implant, and subcutaneously. Subcutaneous administration circumvents first pass liver 
effects, provides a more sustained physiologic serum concentration of T, and a favorable safety profile with 
regards to lipid profile and liver effects 81-83. For example, the subcutaneous T aerosol appears to be less 
likely to affect the lipid profile of patients 84.  The subcutaneous spray has added ease of use advantages 
over the subcutaneous patch for administration of T. Skin reactions may occur in response to the substrate 
material used for the patch. Patch allergy occurs at a prevalence of more than 30% and is the most 
commonly reported adverse event in women undergoing subcutaneous therapy 85  One population study of 
low dose T use in women with androgen insufficiency syndrome concluded that no absolute cut-off level 
of T was appropriate.85. Further, in studies of postmenopausal women with low serum T, the TTS can 
provide sustained increases in serum T concentrations within the normal range for premenopausal women, 
as shown below 
 


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            Update #6 
Title 
Indication 
Dose, duration & study 
population 
Outcome 
Side Effects 
Testosterone patch for 
low sexual desire in 
surgically menopausal 
women: a randomized 
trial 
Hypoactive 
sexual desire 
disorder (HSDD) 
300 ug/day testosterone or 
placebo for 24 weeks 
533 women with HSDD, 
hysterectomy, and bilateral 
oophorectomy  
INTIMATE SM2 
Total satisfying sexual 
activity significantly 
improved, as well as 
sexual desire and 
decreased personal 
distress 
The rate of androgenic adverse 
events was higher in the 
testosterone group, mostly 
mild.  Overall, no difference in 
the AE incidence rate 
compared with placebo 
Testosterone patch 
increases sexual 
activity and desire in 
surgically menopausal 
women with HSDD 
86 
HSDD 
300 ug/day testosterone or 
placebo for 24 weeks 
562 women with HSDD, 
hysterectomy, and bilateral 
oophorectomy  
INTIMATE SM1 
Significant improvement 
in total satisfying sexual 
activity significantly 
improved, as well as 
sexual desire and 
decreased personal 
distress 
No difference in the incidence 
or type of adverse events 
Subcutaneous 
testosterone treatment 
in women with 
impaired sexual 
function after bilateral 
oophorectomy 87 
Impaired sexual 
function 
Placebo, 150 ug or 300 ug per 
day for 12 weeks 
75 women aged 31 – 56 who 
received all three treatments 
in a cross over study without a 
washout 
Mean serum testosterone 
increased fin al dosages 
The 300ugmcg dose 
group reported 
improvements in several 
measures of sexual 
function, as well as 
improvements in 
psychological measures 
Treatment related adverse 
events led four women to 
withdraw.  These events 
included two women become 
agitated or anxious, one woman 
who had a pink discharge from 
the nipple and one subject had 
a site reaction 
PK of a novel 
testosterone matrix 
subcutaneous system in 
healthy premenopausal 
women and women 
infected with the 
Human Immuno-
deficiency virus 88 
Testosterone 
deficiency in 
HIV infected 
women 
300 ug daily over an 
application period of 3-4 days 
9 healthy women and 8 HIV 
infected women 
A regimen of two 
testosterone patches 
applied twice weekly can 
maintain serum total and 
free testosterone levels in 
the mid to upper normal 
range, respectively in 
HIV infected women with 
low testosterone 
One healthy woman 
experienced exacerbation of 
acne, one HIV infected woman 
experienced irregular vaginal 
bleeding.  Later evaluation 
found this patient to have 
uterine fibroids 
Randomized controlled 
Decreased libido 
2% topical cream, 10mg oral, 
Increased serum 
No statistically significant 


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            Update #6 
trial to evaluate 
subcutaneous 
testosterone in female 
cancer survivors with 
decreased libido: North 
Central Cancer 
Treatment group 
Protocol N02C3 
89 
or placebo, daily for 4 weeks, 
crossover 
150 postmenopausal women 
who had survived cancer and 
reported reduced libido 
testosterone, but no 
statistical difference 
libido 
difference in testosterone 
related AEs 
 
Testosterone treatment 
for HSDD in 
postmenopausal women 
(Intimate 1 & 2)90 
Reduced sexual 
function 
300 ug/day in twice a week 
patches 
Surgically menopausal 
women receiving concomitant 
estrogen therapy 
Significant increase in 
total satisfying sexual 
activity 
Application site reactions due 
to transdermal patch 
Testosterone 
aromatization and 
cognition in women: a 
randomized, placebo-
controlled tria25 
Cognition 
400 uL, 0.5% testosterone or 
placebo, daily for 16 weeks 
61 postmenopausal women 
using subcutaneous estrogen 
No effects on cognition 
were observed 
No adverse effects were 
observed 
Effects of subcutaneous 
testosterone 
administration on 
insulin sensitivity, fat 
mass and distribution 
and markers of 
inflammation and 
thrombolysis in human 
immune-deficiency 
virus infected women 
91 
Insulin 
sensitivity, fat or 
markers of 
inflammation and 
thrombolysis 
300 ug testosterone or placebo 
daily, for 24 weeks 
52 HIV infected menstruating 
women with >5% weight loss 
over the prior 6 months 
Testosterone levels 
increased into the high 
normal female range.  
Insulin sensitivity, whole 
body-fat mass or 
distribution, or markers of 
inflammation and 
thrombolysis were not 
adversely affected 
 
Effects of aromatase 
inhibition on sexual 
function 
and well-being in 
Reduced sexual 
function and 
mood 
400 uL, 0.5% testosterone gel, 
and letrozole or placebo daily 
for 16 weeks 
60 postmenopausal women 
Increase of testosterone to 
the physiologic range in 
postmenopausal women 
was associated with 
No adverse treatment effects 
were reported 


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postmenopausal women 
treated 
with testosterone: a 
randomized placebo 
controlled 
trial26 
using subcutaneous estrogen 
and reporting low sexual 
satisfaction completed the 
trial 
improved sexual 
satisfaction, well-being 
and mood 
Testosterone for low 
libido in 
postmenopausal women 
not taking estrogen 
92 
Reduced sexual 
function 
double-blind, placebo-
controlled, 52-week trial in 
which 814 postmenopausal 
women 150/300 uL patch  
modest but meaningful 
improvement in sexual 
function with just 
testosterone and no 
estrogen replacement 
Good tolerance and slight 
increase in hursutism in women 
on the higher dose of 
testosterone 


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FemPharm Pty Ltd (West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) developed TTS for use in women with androgen 
deficiency. The TTS is intended to provide aerosol delivery of a clinically relevant systemic dose of T 
(approximately 100 to 300 μg per day) after topical application of a rapidly drying solution from a metered-
dose spray to intact skin. The formulation is a single-phase liquid containing 5% T and excipients, one of 
which enhances delivery. The application area is defined by means of a complete plastic housing around 
the application nozzle. 
 
This product has been approved in the US for treatment of hypogonadism and T deficiency (in male 
patients). The transdermal enhancer component used in the formulation is octisalate (see more below), 
which is widely used as a sunscreen agent, and as is an excipient in Evamist. 
 
An initial clinical study using T MDTS was completed in 6 postmenopausal women, who received daily 
treatment with approximately 10 mg T (4 × 70 μL sprays) for 5 days. The mean steady-state serum levels 
of free-T were elevated, from 1.9 pg/mL at baseline to 7.1 pg/mL on Day 5. (The normal laboratory range 
for premenopausal women is 1.1 to 6.3 pg/mL). In a subsequent study, conducted in 14 postmenopausal 
women with low serum T, who received daily treatments of 2 × 91 μL sprays to the abdomen for 5 days, 
the mean serum concentrations of free-T increased to 5.3 pg/mL (Data on file, VIVUS, Inc.). 
 
A further pharmacokinetic study, in naturally postmenopausal women with low serum T, confirmed that 
application of the chosen dose (2 × 91 μL sprays) elevated average steady-state serum concentrations to 5.3 
pg/mL. 
 
Acrux Pty Ltd undertook a phase 2 study of TTS Formulation in premenopausal women(Protocol FHRT11). 
In this double-blind, placebo controlled study, a total of 261 women with low serum T were treated for 16 
weeks with one of 3 doses or placebo. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of satisfactory 
sexual events was observed for subjects in the 1 × 90 μL dose group. No major safety issues were observed. 
 
Octisalate is a compound that is currently used as a sunscreen ingredient. Over many years of use as topical 
sunscreens, these agents have shown a very low incidence of local skin reactions. The FDA has issued a 
final monograph for sunscreen drug products including octisalate. The monograph establishes conditions 
under which the sunscreen drug products are generally recognized as safe. The monograph approves the 
use of concentrations of octisalate of up to 5%93. 
 
Transdermal Testosterone Spray formulation A contains concentrations of octisalate above the 5% normally 
used in sunscreen agents. However, it will be applied in much smaller amounts and over a smaller skin area 
than most sunscreens. Therefore an exposure comparison between a typical sunscreen and the excipient in 
the TTS demonstrated that the exposure to octisalate from the TTS is less than 1.0% of the exposure when 
applied as a sunscreen ingredient. 
 
 


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APPENDIX XII: SITE ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS AND FORMS (TO ORDER STUDY AGENT) 
 
Site Ordering Instructions and Order Forms: 
Testosterone and Placebo 
 
  
Background:   
For this trial, the research base pharmacy will send the first 3 month study drug supply directly to a 
participating Alliance main member institution or directly to an affiliate site upon receipt of an order from 
the participating site.  This order must be completed each time a study participant is enrolled.  The research 
base pharmacy will send a 3 month supply directly to each participating Alliance main member institution 
or affiliate site after the registration office receives a request for a patient-specific reorder.   
 
First 3 month treatment period:  Each treating location, must request one patient-specific dose (2 pens) 
each time a patient is registered in the trial by completing the Alliance Clinical Drug Order/Return Form 
located on page 2 of this appendix.  Note:  A sample form is included (page 3 of this appendix).   
 
Please be certain to include a complete shipping address for the treatment site.   
 
Please include the DEA Registration Number of your pharmacy or investigator on the order form, along 
with the patient’s study ID number, patient initials, and date needed. 
 
Note:  Allow three business days for the delivery of the 3 month drug supply.  
 
Second 3 month treatment period:  When it has been determined the study participant will be returning 
for the 2nd half of the 6 month treatment period, each treating location must request a second 3 month drug 
supply, by faxing a completed copy of the A221102 Testosterone/Placebo gel Re-Order Form (page 4 of 
this appendix) to the registration office at 
  The site must also complete the Alliance clinical 
drug order/return form located on page 2 of this appendix, and fax it to the number listed on the form.  
Note:  Allow one week for delivery of the 2nd 3 month drug supply.    
 
   
 
  


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A221102 CLINICAL DRUG ORDER FORM 
 The drugs listed below are requested for the use of (please type or print): 
  
  
  
Gonda 10 
USE 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
ONLY 
  
  
  
  
  
 Dr. 
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 FAX orders to: 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Cancer Treatment Pharmacy Svc. 
 Designee/Requester (if other than investigator) (please type or print): 
 
 
 
  
filled by 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
Name: 
  
Title: 
  
 
  
checked 
by 
  
 MAIL orders/returns to: 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
Telephone Number: 
  
Fax 
Number: 
  
 
  
date 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
SITE DEA REGISTRATION NUMBER: _________ 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 Investigator/Designee Signature 
 
  
 (Example: FM1234567)  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
Date 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Protocol 
PATIENT. 
Patient Initials 
Drug 
Strength 
Quantity 
Date 
---------- 
 
  
  
KIT NUMBER 
Number 
STUDY  
 
Name 
& Dosage Form 
Ordered 
Needed 
 
 
  
ID NUMBER 
  
  
  
  
  
  
(vials, tablets, etc.) 
(vials, bottles, etc.) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
A221102 
 
 
 
TESTOSTERONE 10.4 MG/0.264 mL OR 
PLACEBO GEL 
 
10.4 MG/0.2 64 
mL Syringe 
 2 X 13.5 mL 
Accupen for  ~ 94 
doses 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 INSTRUCTIONS: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  SHIPPING ADDRESS: 
 
  
 NOTE:  Urgent Shipments must be accompanied by 
 1. One item or protocol per line 
  
 
 an express courier account number. 
 
  
 2. When requesting drugs: Fill in all sections completely,  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
except shaded areas. 
  
  
 Express Courier Name: 
 
  
 3. When returning drugs: Fill in all sections completely, 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
including shaded areas. 
  
  
 Express Courier Acct No.:   __  __  __  __ - __  __  __  __ - __   
 4. Must include official shipping address. 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 5. Sign and date the order/return. 
  


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A221102 CLINICAL DRUG ORDER FORM 
 The drugs listed below are requested for the use of (please type or print): 
  
  
  
Gonda 10 
USE 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
ONLY 
  
  
  
  
  
 Dr. 
Investigator Name 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 FAX orders to: 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Cancer Treatment Pharmacy Svc. 
 Designee/Requester (if other than investigator) (please type or print): 
 
 
 
  
filled by 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
Name: 
Ordering Designee  
Title: 
 As needed 
 
  
checked by 
  
 MAIL orders/returns to: 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
Telephone Number: 
Complete number  
Fax Number: 
 Complete number 
 
  
date 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 SITE DEA REGISTRATION NUMBER: _________  
 
 
 
 
  
  
 Investigator/Designee Signature 
 
  
 (Example: FM1234567)   
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
 Date (dd/Mon/yyyy): 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Protocol 
PATIENT 
Patient 
Drug 
Strength 
Quantity 
Date 
---------- 
  
  
  
KIT 
Number 
STUDY 
NUMBER 
Initials 
Name 
& Dosage Form 
Ordered 
Needed 
 
NUMBER 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
(vials, tablets, etc.) 
(vials, bottles, etc.) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
A221102 
2123456 
ABC 
 TESTOSTERONE 10.4 MG/0.264 mL OR 
PLACEBO GEL 
 
10.4 MG/0.264 mL 
2 X 13.5 mL 
Accupen for  ~ 94 
doses 
12/25/2012 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 INSTRUCTIONS: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  SHIPPING ADDRESS: 
 
  
 NOTE:  Urgent Shipments must be accompanied by 
 1. One item or protocol per line 
  
Site Name 
 an express courier account number. 
 
  
 2. When requesting drugs: Fill in all sections completely,  
Facility 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
except shaded areas. 
  
Department  
 Express Courier Name: 
 
  
 3. When returning drugs: Fill in all sections completely, 
Street Address 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
including shaded areas. 
  
City, State      
Zip Code  
 Express Courier Acct No.:   __  __  __  __ - __  __  __  __ - __   
 4. Must include official shipping address. 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 5. Sign and date the order/return. 
  


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Update #6 
  
A221102 Testosterone/Placebo Re-Order Form 
 
 
 
FAX to:  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date (MM/DD/YYYY): ________________________ 
Alliance Patient ID number (7 digits, begins with a ‘2’) _______________________ 
 
Patient Initials (Last, First, Middle) _____________________________________ 
Kit # ________________________ 
 
 
 
Site Contact/ Shipping Information: 
Contact Person:_____________________________________________________ 
 
Institution: _________________________________________________________ 
 
Street Address: _____________________________________________________ 
 
City/State/Postal Code:_______________________________________________ 
 
Telephone (with area code): ___________________________________________ 
 
Telefax (with area code): ______________________________________________ 
 
Email: _____________________________________________________________ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Complete this form and fax to Registration Office at 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX XIII: ASCO SLIDES REGARDING TESTOSTERONE/ANASTRAZOLE PRESENTATION 
ASCO Slides regarding testosterone/anastrazole presentation 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX XIV: EUROPEAN MENOPAUSE AND ANDROPAUSE SOCIETY MEETING POSTER 
 
European Menopause and Andropause Society meeting poster 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX XV: SUBCUTANEOUS TESTOSTERONE IMPLANTS ON LIPID PROFILES 
  Subcutaneous testosterone implants on lipid profiles 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX XVI: DRUG INFORMATION PROVIDED BY 
 FEBRUARY 15, 2012 
 
Drug Information for 
  
15 February 2012  
 
  
 
Testosterone-Anastrozole (TE-A) Subcutaneous Implant  
 
SUMMARY PRODUCT INFORMATION 
 
Route of Administration 
Dosage Form/Strengtha.b. 
Non medical ingredients 
Subcutaneous/subdermal 
60 mg Testosterone 
 4 mg Anastrozole  
 per implant 
Stearic acid 
a. Males: 4 TE-A implants (240 mg TE, 16 mg A)* 
b. Females: 2 TE-A implants (120 mg TE, 8 mg A)** 
 
INDICATIONS AND CLINICAL USE 
 
Orphan Drug Indication 
Hormone resistant ER positive, metastatic breast cancers 
 
Additional Indications 
The Testosterone-Anastrozole (TE-A) subcutaneous implant may be useful in any patient who would 
benefit from testosterone therapy in whom elevated estradiol is not desired or is contraindicated. 
 
Male patients 
Male patients with symptoms of androgen deficiency who would benefit from testosterone replacement 
therapy (TRT) who have elevated estradiol levels (baseline), elevated estradiol levels on testosterone 
therapy, prostate issues (BPH, elevated PSA, prostate cancer), breast cancer and/or symptoms of elevated 
estrogen that include: 
o Weight gain, increased abdominal fat 
o Lack of effect from TE 
o Anxiety, irritability, aggression 
o Breast discomfort or enlargement, gynecomastia 
o Prostate problems (BPH, prostate cancer, elevated PSA) 
o Elevated HbA1c or diabetes, usually in association with weight 
o Fluid retention 
 
Breast cancer survivors or women at increased risk for breast cancer 
Pre and post-menopausal breast cancer survivors or women at an increased risk for breast cancer with 
symptoms of androgen (hormone) deficiency in who elevated estrogen levels are contraindicated. 
 
• 
Pending randomized controlled trials: First-line therapy for breast cancer, second-line therapy in 
women who become resistant to aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy or in patients who cannot 
tolerate oral AI therapy.     
 
Pre and post-menopausal women with gynecologic pathology 


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Pre and post-menopausal women with endometriosis, uterine fibroids or dysfunctional uterine bleeding 
(DUB). 
 
Obese patients 
Male or female patients with elevated estradiol to testosterone ratio and are unable to lose weight.  
 
BACKGROUND  
Testosterone, delivered by subcutaneous pellet implant has been used in the United States, Europe and 
Australia in both men and women to effectively treat symptoms of testosterone deficiency.  The sustained 
release Testosterone-Anastrozole (TE-A) implant provides continuous, controlled release and consistent 
absorption of both testosterone and anastrozole (an aromatase inhibitor).  
  
Potential benefits of testosterone delivered by subcutaneous implantation include increased bone density, 
increased energy, relief of lethargy, relief of depression and anxiety, improved memory and concentration, 
improved sleep, increased muscle mass, decreased fat mass, relief of aches and pains, relief of breast pain, 
relief of migraine headaches, restoration of sex drive and libido, menopausal syndrome relief (hot flashes, 
night sweats), relief of nocturia, urinary incontinence and vaginal symptoms (Glaser). These results are not 
documented with other methods of delivery. In pre and post-menopausal women, testosterone has been 
successfully used in dysmenorrheic patients with endometriosis or small fibroids and to prevent uterine 
bleeding caused by estrogens. In addition, testosterone, delivered by pellet implant and has been used as a 
palliative measure in carcinoma of the breast.  Testosterone has been shown to lower the risk of breast 
cancer in women on estrogen/progestin therapy, decrease proliferation of breast tissue, reduce levels of ER 
(estrogen receptor) alpha, enhance the immune system, and increased red blood cell production.  
However, higher levels of estradiol, from the aromatization of testosterone, may counteract the benefits of 
testosterone therapy.  In addition, local over-expression of aromatase and subsequent elevated estradiol may 
stimulate breast tissue, breast cancer cell growth and adversely affect the prostate gland.  
Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor and has been used orally as an adjuvant therapy in breast cancer in 
post-menopausal women.  By blocking the enzyme ‘aromatase’, anastrozole inhibits the conversion of 
testosterone to estradiol thereby preventing the stimulation of breast tissue and breast cancer cells by 
estradiol.  Oral anastrozole has been used in male patients to prevent the conversion of testosterone to 
estradiol, raising testosterone levels and lowering estradiol levels.  
The combination TE-A implant provides continuous, effective, yet significantly lowered dosing of 
anastrozole with fewer side effects than oral anastrozole therapy.  In addition, by avoiding the GI tract, 
there is no nausea or adverse effects to the GI tract.  Subcutaneous delivery also avoids adverse effects from 
‘first pass’ metabolism in the liver including hepatic-toxicity or increase in clotting factors.  Subcutaneous 
delivery of the combination of testosterone and anastrozole also eliminates patient non-compliance. 
 
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 
Testosterone is the primary endogenous androgen in both men and women.   Testosterone exerts its effect 
through the androgen receptor.  Androgen receptors are located in the brain, bones, breast, muscle, nerves, 
heart, vascular tissue, skin, hair follicles, ovaries, testicles, and fatty tissue. 
 
Cells in the testis, ovary, and adrenal cortex synthesize endogenous testosterone. Therapeutically, 
testosterone is used in the management of hypogonadism (androgen deficiency), either congenital or 
acquired. Testosterone is also the most effective exogenous androgen for the palliative treatment of 
carcinoma of the breast in postmenopausal women.  Testosterone levels decline over the lifespan in both 
men and women. Androgen production in women declines steeply in the early reproductive years 
(Davison). A woman of 40 has half the mean plasma total testosterone of a 21 year old (Zumoff).. 


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Update #6 
 
In males, (high levels of) endogenous androgens are responsible for the normal growth and development 
of the male sex organs and for maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. These effects include the 
growth and maturation of prostate, seminal vesicles, penis, and scrotum; the development of male hair 
distribution, such as beard, pubic, chest and axillary hair; laryngeal enlargement, vocal chord thickening, 
alterations in body musculature, and fat distribution. Drugs in this class also cause retention of nitrogen, 
sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and decreased urinary excretion of calcium. Androgens have been 
reported to increase protein anabolism and decrease protein catabolism. Testosterone also affects the 
formation of erythropoietin, and blood glucose. Androgens have high lipid solubility, enabling them to 
rapidly enter cells of target tissues. Within the cells, testosterone undergoes enzymatic conversion to 5-
alpha-dihydrotestosterone and forms a loosely bound complex with cytosolic receptors. Androgen action 
arises from the initiation of transcription and cellular changes in the nucleus brought about by this steroid-
receptor complex. Effect from testosterone has been shown to be dose dependent in both male and female 
patients. 
 
Anastrozole: Anastrozole is a potent and selective non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. It significantly lowers 
serum estradiol concentrations and has no detectable effect on formation of adrenal corticosteroids or 
aldosterone.  In men and postmenopausal women, estrogens are mainly derived from the action of the 
aromatase enzyme, which convert androgens (primarily androstenedione and testosterone) to estrone and 
estradiol. The suppression of estrogen biosynthesis in peripheral tissues and in the cancer tissue itself can 
therefore be achieved by specifically inhibiting the aromatase enzyme.   
Subcutaneous implants: Subdermal pellet implantation has been proven an effective treatment modality 
and method of delivery since 1940.  Absorption of testosterone and anastrozole from the subcutaneous 
combination implant occurs via uniform erosion of the pellets surface providing a near linear release of 
both active ingredients.  The bioavailability of testosterone and anastrozole from the combination implant 
is virtually complete (i.e. 100% bioavailability).  There is no first pass hepatic inactivation and all released 
testosterone and anastrozole are absorbed into the circulation.  There is no increase in clotting factors or 
increased risk of blood clots with subcutaneous testosterone-anastrozole.  
 
The duration of action of the testosterone-anastrozole implant is 4-5 months in men and 3-4 months in 
women.  Implants provide steady state, sustained release of both TE and A.  In women, approximately 0.08 
mg of anastrozole is released daily compared to a daily oral dose of 1 mg. In men, approximately 0.12 mg 
of anastrozole is released daily. Release rates from subcutaneous testosterone implants have been well 
documented. Because the anastrozole is combined/mixed with the testosterone (ratio of 1:15), the release 
rates would be identical to those established in the literature for testosterone alone.  
 
Preparation and Storage 
Testosterone-anastrozole pellets for subcutaneous/subdermal implantation will be compounded to contain 
60 mg testosterone and 4 mg anastrozole per pellet, with stearic acid as an inactive ingredient.  The placebo 
pellets will be similar in appearance to the testosterone-anastrozole pellets.  The placebo pellets will contain 
approximately 98% USP cholesterol and 2% stearic acid.  The finished pellets are stored at controlled room 
temperature (20-25ºC). 
 
Administration  
The Testosterone-Anastrozole pellets are implanted subcutaneously through a 5 mm incision in the upper 
gluteal region under local anesthesia using a disposable trocar kit.  The incision is closed with a steri-strip. 
   
Male patients are treated with four TE-A implants.   Each TE-A implant is placed ‘end on end’ in one of 
four tracks along with 2-3 additional 75 or 100 mg TE implants.  Each row of implants is advanced into the 
subcutaneous tissue through a cannula.  


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Update #6 
 
The TE-A implants release adequate levels of testosterone and anastrozole for 3 months, on average, in 
women and 4-5 months in men.  The procedure takes 2-3 minutes in females and 3-4 minutes in males. 
 
No change in dose in patients with renal or hepatic impairment based on studies with significantly higher 
doses of oral anastrozole (1 mg po daily vs. 0.08 mg SC released daily).  
 
DRUG INTERACTIONS 
No known drug interactions. 
 
CLINICAL EFFICACY 
 
Male patients 
Preliminary data (7/2009-3/2010) 
• 
35 TE-A implants in male patients with previously elevated estradiol.   
• 
In male patients, the mean estradiol level was 63.9 pg/ml prior to SC anastrozole therapy vs. 17.4 
pg/ml following subcutaneous anastrozole therapy.  The ratio of T/E2 (testosterone/estradiol) 
prior to subcutaneous anastrozole therapy (baseline and testosterone treated patients) was 10.26 
(ng/dl: pg/ml) vs. 59.37 following SC anastrozole/testosterone therapy, approximately a 6-fold 
reduction. 
 
Male patients treated Oct 2010-Jan 2011.   
 
 
 
Fig. 1.  Estradiol levels in 54 male patients, with previously elevated (> 30 pg/ml) estradiol levels, treated 
with 12 - 16 mg anastrozole in combination with testosterone as a subcutaneous implant. 
Results: Mean serum estradiola. 16.6 + 5.7 pg/ml, Mean serum testosterone 1037.5 + 306.17 ng/dl 
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Estradiol pg/ml
1
3
5
7
9
11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53
Pellet insertions, male patients
Mean serum estradiol 16.6 + 5.7 pg/ml, Mean serum testosterone 1037.5 + 306.17 
Estradiol levels
Subcutaneous Testosterone-Anastrozole Pellet 


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a.Estradiol levels of <30 pg/ml were given a value of 15 pg/ml.  
 
Beginning Jan. 2011, a dose of 16 mg of anastrozole (4, implants of 60 mg TE, 4 mg A with additional 
TE) is being prescribed.  There have been no side effects or adverse drug events from the 16 mg dose of 
anastrozole.  
 
Pharmacokinetics of TE-A implant in an obese, diabetic male patient:   
 
Fig.2 Capillary blood spot was measured at baseline and every two hours 4 weeks following insertion of 
TE 1140 mg with Anastrozole 14 mg. (total dose) 
Results: Baseline E2 was 74 pg/ml.  Baseline TE was 345 ng/dl.  Mean E2 level on therapy was 17.4 
pg/ml.  Mean testosterone on therapy was 918 ng/dl. 
 
Female Patients 
 
Data in breast cancer patients presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 
Breast Cancer Symposium October 2010.   
 
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
E2 pg/ml 
TE ng/dl
Baseline and Week 4 following subcutaneous TE 1140 mg, Anastrozole 14 mg
325 lb. male patient
Capillary Blood Spot Testosterone and Estradiol
Estradiol
74
34
22
26
28
20
30
31
11
Testosterone
345
876
898
923
908
880
976
972
913
'Baseline
 8:30a
10:00a
12:00a
2:00p
4:00p
6:00p
8:00p
10:00p
T


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Estradiol density plot: Female patients treated with TE implant alone (non-cancer patients) or the 
combination TE-Anastrozole implant (Breast Cancer survivors).   
 
Estradiol levels after testosterone implant alone (pink) vs. the combination testosterone-anastrozole 
implant (blue).   Estradiol levels of < 30 pg/ml were given a value of 15 pg/ml.  
The combination TE-A implant provided therapeutic levels of testosterone without elevating estradiol.  
No patient has had recurrent disease on the combination implant with up to 2 years follow up.  
 
See ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium poster presentation and/or power-point presentation for additional 
information. 
 
DRUG SAFETY AND ADVERSE EVENTS 
No major adverse drug events (ADE) in over 1,200 insertions. 
 
CONTRAINDICATIONS 
Prior allergic reaction to anastrozole.   
 


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DOSSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 
 
Dosing Males 
o In androgen deficient males, 4 implants of 60 mg TE, 4 mg Anastrozole (Total dose: 240 mg TE, 
16 mg A) are used in combination with (additional) therapeutic doses of testosterone implants. 
o July 2009- Dec. 2010, the majority of men were treated with 3, 60 mg TE, 4 mg A 
implants for a total dose of 12 mg anastrozole. (In addition to male doses of TE 
implants) 
o In symptomatic males with elevated estrogen levels and mid-range testosterone levels, 4 
implants (240 mg TE, 16 mg A) may be used alone or with lower doses of TE (i.e. < 600 mg 
total TE).   
 
Dosing Females 
o 2 implants of 60 mg TE, 4 mg of Anastrozole.  Total dose: 120 mg TE, 8 mg A (Feb 2010-
current)  
o Additional testosterone in non cancer patients, based on weight 
o July 2009- February 2010 dosing: T120-A 7.0 mg.   
 
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 
1408 TE-A pellet insertions performed through July 2011 
 
Inserts in Male patients:  401  
Over two-thirds (69.34%) of hypogonadal male patients on testosterone replacement therapy had 
indications for, and were treated with the combinations TE-A implants.   
   
Indications for TE-A therapy in men 
1. 86% had elevated estradiol levels (baseline or on TE therapy)  
a. Symptoms of elevated estradiol  
i. Weight gain, increased abdominal fat 
ii. Lack of effect from TE 
iii. Anxiety, irritability, aggression 
iv. Breast discomfort or enlargement, gynecomastia 
v. Prostate problems 
vi. Elevated HbA1c or diabetes, usually in association with weight 
vii. Fluid retention 
2. 8% had prostate issues (BPH, elevated PSA, prostate ca) and a normal estradiol level  
3. 6% Other 
a. Breast pain, obesity, abdominal fat without significant elevation of estradiol 
(< 30 pg/ml) at baseline 
 
Inserts in Breast Cancer survivors: 272 through April 2011 
Indications for TE-A therapy in breast cancer survivors  
1. 100% of patients were treated for symptoms of androgen (hormone) deficiency 
including bone loss 
o Testosterone therapy is effective in treating symptoms of androgen (hormone) 
deficiency* including: 
o Hot flashes, sweating 
o Breast pain, fibrocystic disease 
o Heart discomfort (heart skipping, racing, chest tightness) 
o Sleep problems (insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, waking) 
o Depressive mood, feeling sad, down, lack of drive, mood swings 


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o Irritability, feeling nervous, inner tension, feeling aggressive 
o Anxiety, inner restlessness, feeling panicky 
o Physical exhaustion, decrease in performance 
o Mental exhaustion, impaired memory, decrease in concentration, 
forgetfulness 
o Sexual problems (change in desire, activity and satisfaction) 
o Bladder problems (difficulty urinating, frequency, bladder incontinence) 
o Dryness of vagina (burning, difficulty with intercourse) 
o Joint and muscular discomfort (pain in joints, rheumatoid complaints) 
o Muscle weakness 
o Bone loss 
o The combination of testosterone with anastrozole delivered subcutaneously provides 
therapeutic levels of testosterone without elevating estradiol levels. 
 
Inserts in Females without breast cancer:  425 
20% of females (without breast cancer) are treated with the combination (TE-A) implant 
 
Indications 
1. Weight gain, inability to loose weight or belly fat 
a. With or without elevated estradiol levels 
b. Pre and post menopausal females   
2. Gynecologic disease associated with excess estrogenic stimulation  
a. Uterine fibroids 
b. Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB), Menorrhagia. 
c. Endometriosis 
3. Women at increased risk for breast cancer who desire hormone therapy 
a. Family history of breast cancer (one or more first degree relatives) 
b. Atypical ductal hyperplasia 
c. Atypical lobular hyperplasia 
d. Multiple breast biopsies 
4. Women treated with testosterone therapy with symptoms of estradiol excess, with or 
without elevated serum estradiol levels (Serum estradiol levels do not always reflect 
cellular aromatase activity).   
a. Fluid retention, weight gain, belly fat, elevated blood sugar 
b. Menstrual or migraine headaches 
c. Breast pain, fibrocystic breast disease 
d. PMS 
e. Irritability 
f. Anxiety 
 
Currently treating approximately 110 patients per month with the combination implant 
 
Clinical Experience UPDATE:  July 2011, n=1408 TE-A insertion procedures 
• 
Male patients 
Total, 502 insertions from 7/13/09-7/12/11 
              223 insertions in 170 male patients 1/4/11-7/12/11 
• 
Breast Cancer patients 
*314 insertions in 89 patients 7/15/09-7/8/11 
• 
Female patients without BrCa, total 592 insertions 9/9/09-7/8/11 
  316 inserts in 197 patients 1/4/11-7/8/11 
 
*UPDATE: 430 insertions in breast cancer patients 7/15/09-9/2/12 


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Fig. 1 Number of insertions (July 2009-2011) in male patients, breast cancer patients, and female patients 
without breast cancer, treated with the Testosterone-Anastrozole combination subcutaneous implant.   
Legend: Percent of patients treated with the combination implant; 70% of male patients 
(170/240), 95% of breast cancer patients (60/63) and 30% of female patients without breast 
cancer (197/655) were treated with the combination implant 4 January-8 July 2011.   
 
UPDATE INSERTIONS  
24 September 2011, n=1760 
   
REFERENCES SUPPORTING CONCEPT 
 
• 
There is an age related increase in aromatase activity, particularly in fatty tissue (Jordan 07, Leder 
04, Nelson 01)  
• 
Local increased aromatase activity, elevated estradiol levels and lowered testosterone levels (i.e. 
elevated E2/T ratio) adversely affect the prostate gland; BPH and Prostate Cancer (Ellem 10, 
Ricke 09, Bosland 06) 
• 
Increased aromatase activity in gynecomastia (Rhoden 04, Czajka-Ofinec 08) 
• 
Aromatase inhibitors as therapy in male breast cancer (Doyen 10, Carmona-Bayonas 07) 
• 
Testosterone and aromatase inhibitors in gyneocologic disease (Bulun 01, 05, Morales 05) 
• 
Obesity and increased aromatase activity (Cohen 08, Loves 08)    
• 
Non adherence to oral aromatase inhibitor therapy (Sedjo 10) 
• 
Aromatase inhibitors and testosterone neuroprotective (Saldanha 09, Herzog 10, Fargo 07, 09) 
• 
Increased body fat (bmi), decreased muscle mass (lean body mass) with decreased testosterone, 
increased aromatase and subsequent increased estradiol (Cohen 01) 
• 
See FOLDER ‘Androgens and the breast’ and ‘Aromatase’ 
 
Testosterone-Anastrozole Combination Implant
Number of patient insertions July 2009-July 2011 (n=1408)
Percent of patients treated with combination January-July 2011 
502
314
592
70% of male patients
95% of breast cancer patients
30% of females w/o BrCa


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Bosland MC. Sex Steroids and Prostate Carcinogenesis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 
2006;1089:168-176. 
 
Bulun SE, Lin Z, Imir G et al. Regulation of aromatase expression in estrogen-responsive breast and 
uterine disease: from bench to treatment. Pharmacological reviews. 2005;57:359. 
 
Bulun SE, Yang S, Fang Z et al. Role of aromatase in endometrial disease* 1. The Journal of steroid 
biochemistry and molecular biology. 2001;79:19-25. 
 
Carmona-Bayonas A. Potential benefit of maintenance trastuzumab and anastrozole therapy in male 
advanced breast cancer. The Breast. 2007;16:323-325. 
 
Cohen PG. Obesity in men: the hypogonadal-estrogen receptor relationship and its effect on glucose 
homeostasis. Medical hypotheses. 2008;70:358-360. 
 
Cohen PG. Aromatase, adiposity, aging and disease. The hypogonadal-metabolic-atherogenic-disease and 
aging connection. Medical hypotheses. 2001;56:702-708. 
 
Czajka-Oraniec I, Zgliczynski W, Kurylowicz A, Mikula M, Ostrowski J. Association between 
gynecomastia and aromatase (CYP19) polymorphisms. European Journal of Endocrinology. 
2008;158:721. 
 
Davison SL, Bell R, Donath S, Montalto JG, Davis SR. Androgen levels in adult females: changes with 
age, menopause, and oophorectomy. Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism. 2005;90:3847. 
 
Dimitrakakis C, Zava D, Marinopoulos S, Tsigginou A, Antsaklis A, Glaser R. Low salivary testosterone 
levels in patients with breast cancer. BMC Cancer. 2010;10:547. 
 
Doyen J, Italiano A, Largillier R, Ferrero JM, Fontana X, Thyss A. Aromatase inhibition in male breast 
cancer patients: biological and clinical implications. Annals of Oncology. 2010;21:1243. 
 
Ellem SJ, Risbridger GP. Aromatase and regulating the estrogen: androgen ratio in the prostate gland. The 
Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology. 2010;118:246-251. 
 
Fargo KN, Foecking EM, Jones KJ, Sengelaub DR. Neuroprotective actions of androgens on 
motoneurons. Frontiers in neuroendocrinology. 2009;30:130-141. 
 
Fargo KN, Sengelaub DR. Androgenic, but not estrogenic, protection of motoneurons from somal and 
dendritic atrophy induced by the death of neighboring motoneurons. Developmental neurobiology. 
2007;67:1094-1106. 
 
Glaser R, York AE, Dimitrakakis C. Beneficial effects of testosterone therapy in women measured by the 
validated Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). Maturitas. 2011;68:355-361. 
 
Herzog AG, Farina EL, Drislane FW et al. A comparison of anastrozole and testosterone versus placebo 
and testosterone for treatment of sexual dysfunction in men with epilepsy and hypogonadism. Epilepsy & 
Behavior. 2010;17:264-271. 
 
Jordan VC, Brodie AM. Development and evolution of therapies targeted to the estrogen receptor for the 


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treatment and prevention of breast cancer. Steroids. 2007;72:7-25. 
 
Leder BZ, Rohrer JL, Rubin SD, Gallo J, Longcope C. Effects of aromatase inhibition in elderly men 
with low or borderline-low serum testosterone levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89:1174-1180. 
 
Loves S, Ruinemans-Koerts J, de Boer H. Letrozole once a week normalizes serum testosterone in 
obesity-related male hypogonadism. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2008;158:741. 
 
Morales L, Timmerman D, Neven P et al. Third generation aromatase inhibitors may prevent endometrial 
growth and reverse tamoxifen-induced uterine changes in postmenopausal breast cancer patients. Annals 
of oncology. 2005;16:70. 
 
Nelson LR, Bulun SE. Estrogen production and action. Journal of the American Academy of 
Dermatology. 2001;45:S116-S124. 
 
Rhoden EL, Averbeck MA, Teloken PE. Androgen replacement in men undergoing treatment for prostate 
cancer. The journal of sexual medicine. 2008;5:2202-2208. 
 
Rhoden EL, Morgentaler A. Treatment of testosterone-induced gynecomastia with the aromatase 
inhibitor, anastrozole. International journal of impotence research. 2004;16:95-97. 
 
Ricke WA, McPherson SJ, Bianco JJ, Cunha GR, Wang Y, Risbridger GP. Prostatic hormonal 
carcinogenesis is mediated by in situ estrogen production and estrogen receptor alpha signaling. The 
FASEB Journal. 2008;22:1512. 
 
Saldanha CJ, Duncan KA, Walters BJ. Neuroprotective actions of brain aromatase. Frontiers in 
neuroendocrinology. 2009;30:106-118. 
 
Sedjo RL, Devine S. Predictors of non-adherence to aromatase inhibitors among commercially insured 
women with breast cancer. Breast cancer research and treatment. 2011;1-10. 
 
Witherby S, Johnson J, Demers L et al. Topical testosterone for breast cancer patients with vaginal 
atrophy related to aromatase inhibitors: a phase I/II study. Oncologist. 2011;16:424-431. 
 
Zumoff B, Strain GW, Miller LK, Rosner W. Twenty-four-hour mean plasma testosterone concentration 
declines with age in normal premenopausal women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 
1995;80:1429. 
 
 


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APPENDIX XVII: ACCUPEN™ DISPENSING DEVICE APPLICATION DIRECTIONS 
 
 


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General Directions for Applying Testosterone Transdermal Gel 
Directions: 
 
• 
Apply at the same time every day, preferably in the morning. For best absorption, do not apply 
right before bedtime. 
• 
Apply to non-fat pad areas. These areas include: 
• 
tops of the feet 
• 
 top of the chest 
• 
 behind the knees 
• 
 inner forearms.  
The site should be changed with each application. Never apply to open sores, wounds, or irritated 
skin. 
• 
Completely clean and dry skin. 
• 
Apply the prescribed amount on the appropriate area. Using a circular motion, rub in the 
medication until it is absorbed, and the area feels dry. 
• 
There is a slight risk of transferring the medication to other people, surfaces, and pets that you 
come in contact. To avoid this follow these precautions: 
• 
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after application to avoid 
transferring the medication to other people. 
• 
Let the medicated area dry for a few minutes before getting dressed to prevent your clothes 
from wiping it off your skin. 
• 
Allow at least 4 hours for the medication to absorb fully. 
• 
The application may be washed after 4 hours have elapsed. 
• 
Use separate hand towels from other members of the family. 
• 
Wipe off faucet handles after use. 
• 
Wait at least an hour (preferably 4 hours) after application before bathing or swimming to 
ensure the best absorption. 
 
Storage: 
   Store gel at room temperature. 
 
Additional Instructions (if applicable): 
Occasionally, the red plunger within the AccuPen Dispensing Device can get stuck and lose contact with 
the gel. If this happens, the AccuPen device may not deliver an accurate dose. Therefore, please follow the 
instructions below should this issue happen to your device.  
1. Remove the Push-Button End Cap by gently twisting and pulling on the Push-Button End Cap.  
2. Once the End-Cap is removed, push the red diaphragm slowly down into the body of the device with a 
thin utensil (such as a pen or thin object) until it comes into contact with the gel.  
 
Note: There should not be any air between the red diaphragm and the gel preparation for the dispensing 
device to work properly.  
3. Push the end cap down where the lines match up and make sure the cap "clicks" on. You should hear an 
audible "click" noise.  
4. Twist the cap back and forth to ensure it becomes locked and unlocked.  
5. Once the cap is in place, turn the Push-Button-End Cap counter-clockwise to unlock the actuator.  
6. Then pump the pen twice to re-prime the pen. The pen should now be ready to use once again.