HWN Suggests

Developing a next generation endocrine therapy for ER+/HER2- breast cancer

The history of the development of new therapies targeting the estrogen receptor (ER) for metastatic breast cancer has not been one of disruptive innovation that drastically changes the standard of care, but rather progress over time that has made a significant difference in extending progression-free survival and overall outcomes for patients.

After the initial discovery of the ER in 1958, it took nearly 20 years for the first endocrine, or hormonal, therapy called tamoxifen to come to market. Tamoxifen, which is still widely used today nearly 50 years later, modulates the effects of hormones on estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. Approximately 75% of all breast cancers are ER-positive,…

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 An emerging generation of endocrine therapies in breast cancer: a clinical perspective

Anti-estrogen therapy is a key component of the treatment of both early and advanced-stage hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer. This review discusses the recent emergence of several anti-estrogen therapies, some of which were designed to overcome common mechanisms of endocrine resistance. The new generation of drugs includes selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)...

 What women with breast cancer should know about estrogens

One class of estrogen blockers that is often prescribed for women with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer does its job by blocking estrogens from getting to the receptors of the cells in the body, including cancer cells. The body still produces estrogens, but their effects are blocked in some cells. A second class, called aromatase inhibitors, blocks the production of estrogens. Both types of estrogen blocker act in the brain as well as the breast, ovaries, vagina and many other parts of the body. Since these drugs block the effects of estrogens, we should expect that, besides blocking the negative effects of estrogens on the breast cancer, they will block the positive effects on the brain and on mental health.

Articles of Interest

After early-stage breast cancer, interrupting endocrine therapy to become pregnant didn’t raise risk of recurrence

Women who’ve been treated for hormone-sensitive breast cancer often face five to 10 years of endocrine therapy to lower the chances of their tumors coming back. Because that drug regimen is toxic during pregnancy, women who haven’t begun their families yet may lose that chance before they even try. New research published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests there might be another option.

Does pessimism worsen side effects from breast cancer drugs?

Although hormone-based drugs for breast cancer, notably tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors, have been used for decades to keep the disease from recurring, this is the first study to analyze how expectations influence what side effects (joint pain, night sweats, hot flashes, sleeping problems, and dozens more) patients experience from them.

Evolving the standard of care for advanced breast cancer

While existing endocrine therapies are clinically effective, most patients with metastatic breast cancer will progress on available therapies, and new treatment options are desperately needed. Despite this need, no new endocrine therapies have been approved in nearly 20 years since fulvestrant, which is a highly insoluble compound that must be administered monthly in large volumes via intramuscular injections. Additionally, fulvestrant has been shown to demonstrate limited drug exposure, which may negatively impact its anti-tumor effectiveness. Fortunately, there are new innovative agents under investigation that have the potential to address limitations in current therapies, improve the patient experience, and advance the standard of care.

Pros And Cons Of Hormone Therapy For Breast Cancer

While hormone therapy can effectively treat breast cancer, there are also some potential risks and side effects associated with this type of treatment.

Resources

BreastCancer.org

Hormonal therapy is a very effective treatment against breast cancer that is hormone-receptor-positive. Find out if you should be tested to see if you need other therapies, as well.

Cancer Research UK

This page tells you about hormone therapy for primary breast cancer.

Faslodex

FASLODEX is a hormonal treatment for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose breast cancer has recurred or progressed following treatment with an antiestrogen, such as tamoxifen.

Macmillan Cancer Support

Hormonal therapies are treatments to reduce the levels of hormones in the body or block their effects on cancer cells. They are often given after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy for breast cancer to reduce the chance of the cancer coming back.

National Cancer Institute

Approximately 67%–80% of breast cancers in women are ER positive. Approximately 90% of breast cancers in men are ER positive and approximately 80% are PR positive Breast cancers that lack ERs are called ER negative, and if they lack both ER and PR they may be called HR negative.