Hormones / antineoplastics 

Other names: hormonal oncology

What are Hormones/antineoplastics?

Hormonal anticancer drugs are used to reduce or prevent proliferation of cancers that are responsive to specific levels of hormones. Hormones are signalling molecules that bind to target cells receptors and stimulates or blocks the cells function. Hormonally responsive cancer can be treated by reducing the level of hormone that is needed for tumor cell growth and survival, by using inhibitors of hormone synthesis or hormone receptor antagonist. Some cancers may be inhibited by increased level of a specific hormone therefore supplementing with a hormone agonist is used to treat these types of cancer.

What are Hormones/antineoplastics? Hormonal anticancer drugs are used to reduce or prevent proliferation of cancers that are responsive to specific levels of hormones. Hormones are signalling molecules that bind to target cells receptors and stimulates or blocks the cells function.

Hormonal agents are widely used in curative and palliative treatment of hormone-dependent tumors. Tamoxifen, toremifene, and raloxifene are all SERM drugs (selective estrogen receptor modulators). They are nonsteroidal antiestrogens with weak estrogenic agonist effects.

 
Types of hormone therapy
  • Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), such as anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole.
  • Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen and raloxifene.
  • Estrogen receptor antagonists, such as fulvestrant and toremifene.

List of Hormones/antineoplastics