How FASLODEX works
Hormone receptor-positive
breast cancer is a type of breast cancer in which
cells need the hormone
estrogen
to grow. In this type of cancer, estrogen is
delivered into the breast cancer cells by message-carrying proteins called
estrogen receptors.
Given by intramuscular (IM) injection once a month, FASLODEX works by binding
to estrogen receptors, which blocks estrogen from binding. FASLODEX causes the
estrogen receptor to change shape and not work as well. In addition, FASLODEX
causes a decrease (downregulation) in the number of estrogen receptors. This
may interfere with cancer cell activity, which, in part, may slow the growth of
the breast cancer.
In clinical trials, FASLODEX was found to be effective when tamoxifen no longer
worked.
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To find out if your tumor may respond to FASLODEX, your doctor can do a test to
determine if your tumor is hormone receptor positive. Breast cancer tumors are
hormone receptor positive in more than 60% of
postmenopausal
women.
What is hormone receptor status?
Hormone receptors are message-carrying proteins that bind estrogen or
progesterone (female
hormones)
and take them to the nucleus of the cell. In some breast cancers, these
hormones signal the tumor cells to divide and grow. Tumors with estrogen
receptors or progesterone receptors present in their cells are said to be
hormone receptor positive. Tumors that are hormone receptor positive are more
likely to respond to hormonal treatment like FASLODEX.
Ask your doctor about your hormone receptor status, and whether FASLODEX may be
right for you.