Hormonal antineoplastic drugs are a type of medication that is specifically designed to treat cancer by affecting and manipulating hormone levels in the body. These drugs work by either suppressing the production of certain hormones or blocking the receptors that these hormones typically bind to.
Cancer cells often rely on hormones to survive and grow. By interfering with the hormones that cancer cells need, hormonal antineoplastic drugs can slow down or stop the growth of malignant tumors. These drugs are typically used to treat hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, prostate, or ovarian cancer.
There are several different types of hormonal antineoplastic drugs, each with their own mechanism of action. Some medications, such as aromatase inhibitors, work by blocking an enzyme called aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen. This is particularly useful in treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Other hormonal antineoplastic drugs, such as androgen receptor antagonists, work by blocking the binding of androgens (male hormones) to their receptors. This approach is commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer.
The use of hormonal antineoplastic drugs is often accompanied by careful monitoring of hormone levels and regular medical check-ups to assess the effectiveness of treatment. Depending on the type and stage of cancer, these drugs may be used alone or in combination with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
It is important to note that like any medication, hormonal antineoplastic drugs can have side effects. These can include hot flashes, weight gain or loss, changes in libido, mood swings, and fatigue.
