Category: receptor_pharmacology
Hormone-driven cancers (breast, prostate) respond to depriving the target tissue of its growth-hormone signal. Breast: aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole, letrozole, exemestane) block peripheral androgen → estrogen conversion; SERMs (tamoxifen) partial-agonize estrogen receptor with tissue selectivity (antagonist in breast, agonist in endometrium → uterine-cancer signal); SERD (fulvestrant) full-degrades the estrogen receptor; clomiphene is a SERM used for ovulation induction. Prostate: GnRH analogs (leuprolide, triptorelin, goserelin agonists; cetrorelix/ganirelix/degarelix antagonists — covered in END-4) drop testicular T; CYP17 lyase inhibitor (abiraterone) blocks adrenal/intratumoral androgen synthesis; AR antagonists (enzalutamide, bicalutamide) block AR ligand binding. Mifepristone — anti-progesterone with off-label use; covered as PR antagonist.