Tag: Oncology drugs

For many common cancers, adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery can reduce the risk of recurrence by around 30% [1.2.3]. So, **what drugs shrink tumors** and how do they work? The answer lies in several classes of powerful medications designed to attack cancer cells.

Tamoxifen is a key medication in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, particularly for cases that are sensitive to estrogen. A common administration involves a dosage of 20 mg for treating various stages of hormone-receptor positive breast cancer and for risk reduction in high-risk individuals.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Eligard is a type of hormone therapy known as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. It is primarily used to manage advanced prostate cancer by suppressing testosterone levels in the body.

According to the National Cancer Institute, fulvestrant is an antiestrogen medication used to treat certain types of breast cancer. The most common and widely known brand name and another name for fulvestrant is **Faslodex**.

Derived from components of yew trees, taxane chemotherapy drugs play a crucial role in treating various cancers. For those asking, 'what is the sister drug to Taxol?', the answer is Taxotere (docetaxel), a closely related compound that shares a similar mechanism of action but features distinct clinical properties.

First isolated from the bark of the Pacific yew tree in the 1960s, the journey to answer 'How long has Taxol been around?' reveals a multi-decade saga of scientific discovery and development that transformed cancer treatment [1.2.1, 1.10.2].

Maintenance therapy significantly prolongs progression-free survival for many multiple myeloma patients after initial treatment. For many years, the primary and most recognized **maintenance drug for myeloma** has been lenalidomide, though personalized medicine is introducing new alternatives and combination approaches.

At the beginning of 2024, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) reported a record 323 active drug shortages, the highest number since tracking began in 2001. This persistent issue affects a wide range of critical medications, leaving many patients and healthcare providers asking: what drug is currently in shortage? The answer involves a complex interplay of manufacturing challenges, increased demand, and regulatory hurdles impacting key drug classes from sterile injectables to ADHD stimulants.