Breast Cancer Drugs
Jul 10, 2010 in Drugs / Treatment
The major classes of breast cancer drugs are: Selective Estrogen-Receptor Modulators or SERMs, Aromatose Inhibitors, Biologic Response Modifiers, and other hormonal therapies.
SERMs work by “starving” cancer cells by preventing estrogen from reaching and feeding the cancer cells, since breast cancer cells are dependent on estrogen to reproduce. The most prescribed SERM is Tamoxifen.
Aromatose inhibitors work by preventing the production of estrogen, also starving the cancer cells. This is useful when patients become resistant to a SERM.
Biologic response modifiers prevent the growth of breast cancer cells.
Other hormonal therapies include those that destroy estrogen receptors in cancer cells, and those that blocks the release of hormone in the body.
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