cancer

What is Ibrance and how is it used? Ibrance is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer in combination with: an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy in postmenopausal women or in men; or fulvestrant in patients with disease …

What is daratumumab (Darzalex), and how is it used? Darzalex is a prescription medicine used to treat multiple myeloma: In combination with the medicines bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone, in people with newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma who cannot receive a type of stem cell transplant that uses their own stem cells (autologous stem cell transplant). In combination with the medicines …

What is Opdivo (nivolumab), and how does it work? Opdivo is a prescription medicine used to treat: people with a type of skin cancer called melanoma: that has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced melanoma). You may receive Opdivo alone or in combination with ipilimumab, or to help prevent melanoma from coming back after it and lymph nodes …

What is atezolizumab, and how is it used? Tecentriq is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with: a type of bladder and urinary tract cancer called urothelial carcinoma. Tecentriq may be used when your bladder cancer has spread or cannot be removed by surgery, and if you have any one of the following conditions: you are not able to …

What is bicalutamide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Bicalutamide is an oral medication that is used for treating cancer of the prostate. It belongs to a class of drugs called anti-androgens which includes flutamide (Eulexin) and nilutamide (Nilandron). Androgens (an example of which is testosterone) are hormones that are produced and released by the adrenal glands. They …

What is hydroxyurea, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hydroxyurea (Hydrea) is an oral medication used to treat several types of cancers including chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), head and neck cancer, malignant melanoma, ovarian cancer, and polycythemia vera (a disorder of the bone marrow). The exact mechanism by which hydroxyurea works to treat cancer …

What is tamoxifen (Soltamox)? Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen that prevents the effects of estrogens on tissues. What brand names are available for tamoxifen (Soltamox)? Soltamox is currently the only brand available for tamoxifen. Nolvadex brand has been discontinued. Is tamoxifen (Soltamox) available as a generic drug? Yes Do I need a prescription for tamoxifen (Soltamox)? Yes Why is tamoxifen (Soltamox) …

What is letrozole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Letrozole is an oral, anti-estrogen drug that is used for treating postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The growth of some breast cancers in postmenopausal women is promoted by estrogens that circulate in the blood, and the adrenal glands are the main source of these circulating estrogens. Letrozole inhibits the …

What is leuprolide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Leuprolide is an injectable, man-made hormone that is used for treating prostate cancer, endometriosis, central precocious puberty (early onset of puberty), and fibroids. It is similar to but stronger than human gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH is made in the hypothalamus (a part of the brain) and travels to …

What is octreotide injection, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Octreotide acetate is an injectable medicine that is very similar to the hormone somatostatin, which is naturally produced in the body that has several effects including inhibition of the release of hormones. Octreotide works in a similar fashion as somatostatin, but is degraded more slowly and is a …