Fulvestrant vs Anastrozole: Understanding the Differences in Breast Cancer Treatments
Breast Cancer treatment highly relies on hormonal therapies.
Among the widely prescribed medications for breast cancer, Fulvestrant and Anastrozole take center stage.
While the efficacy of both drugs is almost the same, there are some differences between the two medications.
Understanding the differences and similarities between Fulvestrant and Anastrozole is essential for patients to make informed decisions.
The following article compares these two medications regarding the mechanism of action, side effects, and other relevant factors to help you understand their similarities and differences.
Overview
A glance at the below table will help you summarize the difference between Anastrozole and Fulversant before we dive deep into the comparison.
| Factors | Fulvestrant | Anastrozole |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Faslodex | Altraz, Armidix |
| Drug Class | Estrogen receptor antagonists | Aromatase Inhibitors |
| Administration | Intramuscular injection | Oral tablets |
| Side effects | Hot flashes, headaches, joint pain, nausea, constipation | Nerve damage on injection site, nausea, hot flashes, headaches, joint pain |
| FDA approval | 2002 | 1995 |
| Cost (per unit) | $205 | $40 |
Anastrozole and Fulvestrant: An introduction
Anastrozole and Fulvestrant are hormone therapy medications for treating hormone-receptive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
It refers to a type of Breast Cancer influenced by hormones like Estrogen and Progesterone.
Anastrozole belongs to the class of Aromatase inhibitors, while Fulvestrant is a Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader.
Both medications have shown efficacy in Breast Cancer treatment but are also used as combination therapy.
Fulvestrant vs Anastrozole: Mechanism of action
Fulvestrant belongs to a class of drugs called Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders (SERDs).
It works by binding to the Estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells.
This action inhibits Estrogen’s ability to promote cancer cell growth and degrades the estrogen receptors, further reducing their impact on tumor growth.
Anastrozole, on the other hand, is an aromatase inhibitor.
It suppresses the enzyme Aromatase, which is responsible for the production of Estrogen in postmenopausal women.
By reducing Estrogen levels in the body, Anastrozole effectively starves hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells, reducing their growth.
Comparing side effects of Anastrozole and Fulvestrant
According to the available search results, there may be some differences in the side effects of Anastrozole and Fulvestrant.
Both Breast Cancer medications may cause similar side effects like nausea, constipation, headaches, hot flashes, and fatigue.
Fulvestrant is given as an intramuscular injection and may cause other side effects like musculoskeletal pain and injection site reaction.
On the other hand, Anastrozole has been associated with a higher risk of bone thinning (Osteoporosis) and fractures.
But, these comparisons may not show that one medicine is better.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology states that both medications are equally effective, and people in both groups showed similar side effects.
Combination therapy for Metastatic Breast cancer
A 2019 study was conducted to infer the effectiveness of combination therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer.
It observed that the combination therapy of Fulvestrant injection and Anastrozole tablets was found to be more effective than alone Anastrozole therapy.
It also found that the combination therapy improves overall survival in patients with Metastatic breast cancer compared with Anastrozole alone.
Conclusion
Both medications are effective hormonal therapies for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer; their mechanisms of action and side effect profiles differ.
While Fulvestrant is Selective Estrogen Receptor Degrader, Anastrozole is an Aromatase inhibitor.
Both medications have shown their effectiveness equally and are well-tolerated in the patients.
Recent developments have also shown that combination therapy of both medicines benefits stage IV cancer.
Ultimately, both medicines play an essential role in managing breast cancer and improving patient outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between aromatase inhibitors and Fulvestrant?
Aromatase inhibitors, like Anastrozole, suppress estrogen production, while Fulvestrant is a Selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD) that blocks the estrogen receptor. Aromatase inhibitors reduce estrogen levels, while Fulvestrant directly inhibits estrogen receptor signaling.
What are the risks of Fulvestrant?
The risks of Fulvestrant may include injection site reactions, nausea, fatigue, and musculoskeletal pain. It is essential to consult your doctor for a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks and benefits associated with Fulvestrant in individual cases.
What drugs are used with Fulvestrant?
Fulvestrant is commonly used with other drugs to treat hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer. It might be used with Anastrozole as a combination therapy to treat stage IV cancer.
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