breast cancer

Capivasertib (Truqap™)

Capivasertib is a kinase inhibitor. A kinase is an enzyme that promotes cell growth. There are many types of kinases that control different phases of cell growth. Capivasertib affects the growth and spread of cancer cells by inhibiting PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN. By inhibiting these proteins, this medication can slow or stop the cancer from growing. Your cancer will be tested for changes (mutations) in the PIK3CA/AKT1/PTEN proteins before starting this medication.

Capivasertib is often given in combination with a medication called fulvestrant, which is given as an injection in a muscle (IM, intramuscular). Fulvestrant blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue, slowing or stopping cancer growth.

Resources for More Information: Breast Cancer

This article provides information about organizations offering support, education, and resources to people living with breast cancer.

Methotrexate (Mexate®, Folex®, Rheumatrex®, Amethopterin, MTX)

Methotrexate interferes with DNA production. This stops cell growth and division, resulting in the slowing or stopping of cancer growth. Since cancer cells, in general, divide faster and with less error-correcting than healthy cells, cancer cells are more sensitive to this damage. Methotrexate competes with folic acid uptake in cells. This results in a folic acid deficiency in these cells and leads to cell death. By affecting the folic acid uptake, methotrexate also alters DNA replication and cell division. Cancer cells take up methotrexate faster than normal cells (because they are rapidly dividing and thus replicate their DNA more frequently), causing their cell death.

Leucovorin is given starting 24 hours after methotrexate. Leucovorin is also known as folinic acid and is converted into a derivative of folic acid in the body. Therefore, Leucovorin is given in an attempt to prevent healthy cells from taking up too much methotrexate, but on the other hand, allowing time for the methotrexate to get into cancer cells to cause their death.

Paclitaxel (Taxol®)

Paclitaxel is a plant alkaloid that was developed from the bark of the Pacific Yew tree. Paclitaxel works by disrupting the microtubular network essential for cell division and other normal cellular functions, eventually causing cell death.

Fulvestrant (Faslodex®)

Fulvestrant works by blocking estrogen receptors in breast tissue. While estrogen may not actually cause breast cancer, it is necessary for the cancer to grow in some breast cancers. With estrogen blocked, the cancer cells that feed off estrogen may not be able to survive. Fulvestrant is considered a pure anti-estrogen because it does not stimulate estrogen receptors outside of the breast tissue. Because of fulvestrant's unique ability, it offers an option for women who have shown resistance to tamoxifen or other hormonal therapy.

Docetaxel (Taxotere)

Docetaxel affects the microtubular network in cells, which is needed for cells to work and divide. By affecting the microtubules, docetaxel makes the microtubule bundles inactive, causing cancer cells to die.

Xgeva® - Denosumab

Cancer cells from some tumors (most commonly breast, prostate and lung cancers) can spread to the bone. When this happens, it is called bone metastasis. Cancer cells in the bone can cause breakdown or wearing away of normal bone. In turn, the affected bones become more fragile. They may be painful and can even break due to the damage from the cancer cells. Denosumab is a type of monoclonal antibody. It is a medicine designed to target a specific protein or cell – in this case, the target is a protein called RANKL, which is necessary for bone breakdown. By targeting RANKL, denosumab inhibits or stops bone breakdown.

Monoclonal antibodies are created in a lab to attach to the targets found on specific types of cancer cells. The antibody “calls” the immune system to attack the cell it is attached to, resulting in the immune system killing the cell. These antibodies can work in different ways, including stimulating the immune system to kill the cell, blocking cell growth, or other functions necessary for cell growth. This medication is different from Denosumab (Prolia®) which treats osteoporosis. They are used to treat different issues, are not interchangeable, and also should not be taken at the same time.

Trastuzumab and Hyaluronidase-oysk (Herceptin Hylecta™)

Monoclonal antibodies are created in a lab to attach to the targets found on specific types of cancer cells. The antibody “calls” the immune system to attack the cell it is attached to, causing the immune system to kill the cell. These antibodies can work in different ways, including stimulating (revving up) the immune system to kill the cell, blocking cell growth, or other functions necessary for cell growth. Trastuzumab is thought to block these receptors, preventing them from turning on cell growth.

Trastuzumab is a type of monoclonal antibody that targets HER-2 positive cancer cells. HER2 receptors on cells send signals telling the cell to grow and divide. Cancers that overexpress HER2 have too many receptors, which cause the cells to grow and divide more quickly. By inhibiting HER2, signals are sent to these cells to slow their growth.

Hyaluronidase is an endoglycosidase that helps with the absorption of trastuzumab.

Thiotepa (Thioplex®, Tepadina®)

Thiotepa kills cancer cells through a process called alkylation. Alkylation damages the DNA of cells, which prevents them from dividing and causes them to die. Since cancer cells divide faster and with less error-correcting than healthy cells, cancer cells are more sensitive to this damage.

Megestrol (Megace®, Megace-ES®)

Megestrol is a man-made version of progesterone, which is a type of female hormone. This medication can be used to treat breast and uterine cancers. It is also used as an appetite stimulant for people with cachexia (muscle and weight loss or wasting and anorexia associated with cancer or AIDS).