Hormonal antineoplastic agents are medications that prevent the growth and spread of cancer in the body. The spelling of this term can be broken down phonetically as "hɔrˈməʊnl ˌæntiˌniːəʊplæstɪk ˈeɪdʒənts", with emphasis on the syllables in bold. The "hormonal" portion refers to the term hormone, pronounced as "hɔːməʊn". "Antineoplastic" is pronounced as "ˌæntiˌniːəʊplæstɪk", with emphasis on the second syllable. "Agents" is pronounced as "ˈeɪdʒənts", with emphasis on the first syllable. Proper pronunciation of medical terminology is crucial for effective communication between healthcare
Hormonal Antineoplastic Agents are a specific class of drugs used in the treatment of cancer that function by interfering with or modifying the hormone production or actions within the body. These agents primarily work by either blocking the production of certain hormones involved in cancer growth or by preventing the hormones from binding to their respective receptors.
Cancer cells often rely on hormones to stimulate their growth and division. Hormonal Antineoplastic Agents aim to disrupt this growth stimulation by either reducing the production of hormones or by inhibiting their effects. This is particularly useful in hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer or prostate cancer.
These agents can be classified into different categories based on their mechanisms of action. Some hormonal antineoplastic agents directly block the production of specific hormones by inhibiting enzymes involved in their synthesis. Others may prevent the hormones from binding to their receptors or interfere with the signaling pathways triggered by hormone-receptor interactions.
Examples of hormonal antineoplastic agents include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as tamoxifen and fulvestrant, aromatase inhibitors like anastrozole and letrozole, and anti-androgens like bicalutamide and flutamide.
Although hormonal antineoplastic agents are generally well-tolerated and have shown promising results in treating hormone-dependent cancers, they may also have potential side effects. These can include hot flashes, fatigue, mood changes, and increased risk of blood clots. It is important for healthcare professionals to carefully monitor patients receiving hormonal antineoplastic agents to ensure their efficacy and manage any adverse reactions.