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What kind of medicine is Orserdu?
Simply put, Orserdu is a targeted hormonal therapy . Now you may be wondering, "What is that?" In the chemotherapy treatment that we usually hear about, almost all rapidly dividing cells can be affected. This means that not only cancer cells, but also healthy cells in our body may be damaged. But in targeted therapy, something different happens. These drugs are very smart, identifying something, such as a specific protein or gene, that helps cancer cells grow, and targeting it. Orserdu is specifically approved for:- Estrogen Receptor -positive (ER-positive ) and
- Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative ( HER2-negative ),
- For breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic).
How does this medicine work in the body?
To understand this, let's first take a look at ER-positive cancer. This type of cancer cell is like a little plant. That plant needs a hormone called 'estrogen' like water to grow. So, most hormone treatments stop this estrogen from going to the cancer cell. But sometimes, when you take this treatment for a while, a gene called ESR1 in the cancer cells changes . Because of this change, the hormone drugs that were previously given can no longer control the cancer. The cancer starts to grow again.Imagine that a cancer cell has a special receptor that can be captured by the hormone estrogen. Orserdu works by targeting cancer cells that are previously resistant to drugs due to that genetic mutation.The idea is to get to that door in the pit, to get to it before estrogen, and close that door. Then the estrogen hormone doesn't have a chance to grow the cancer cell.
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Check Availability →How do I know if Orserdu is right for me?
This is a very important question. Orserdu is not a drug that is given to all breast cancer patients. Your oncologist is the best person to make this decision. Generally, this treatment is considered for patients who meet the following criteria: Situations in which you may be considered for Orserdu treatment
Your doctor will make the final decision on whether this medication is right for you after conducting the necessary genetic tests and reviewing your complete medical records.| Patient's condition | You must be a postmenopausal woman or an adult male. |
| Cancer type | The cancer must be ER-positive and HER2-negative. |
| The spread of cancer | The cancer must be advanced or have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). |
| Genetic tests | Specific tests must have confirmed that your cancer has an ESR1 gene mutation . |
| Pre-treatment | You must have received at least one type of hormone therapy before and the cancer must have come back during or after that treatment. |
Side effects of Orserdu and how to deal with them?
Like any medicine, Orserdu can cause some side effects. However, most of these are usually mild and manageable. The most important thing is to tell your doctor right away about any new symptoms you experience.| Common side effects | Tips for managing |
|---|---|
| Muscle and joint pain, headache | Talk to your doctor about getting an appropriate pain reliever for this. |
| Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation | - Eat small meals several times a day. - Avoid oily and fatty foods. - Add more vegetables and fruits. |
| Anorexia | - Eat small meals throughout the day when you feel hungry. - Try nutritious shakes or liquid meals. |
| Hot flushes | - Wear light, loose clothing. - Reduce stress. Deep breathing exercises can help. |
| Tiredness | Get as much rest as possible. Planning your day's activities can help you conserve energy. |
How does Orserdu interact with other medications and foods?
This is very important. Before you start taking Orserdu, you should tell your oncologist about all the medications you are currently taking (including medications for other conditions, vitamins, and herbal products) . This is because some medications and foods can affect the way Orserdu works in the body.- CYP3A inhibitors: This class of drugs or foods can delay the elimination of Orserdu from the body. This can increase the level of the drug in the body,Side effects may increase. Examples: Some antibiotics, antifungals, and fruits such as grapefruit and pomelos.
- CYP3A inducers: This class of drugs causes Orserdu to be removed from the body more quickly. This may reduce the effectiveness of the drug. Examples: Some medications for epilepsy, some antibiotics.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Orserdu (elacestrant) is a novel targeted hormone therapy for the treatment of advanced, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
- This treatment is especially recommended for patients who have an ESR1 gene mutation and who do not respond to other hormonal treatments .
- Research has shown that this drug extends progression-free survival (the time during which the cancer can be controlled without getting worse).
- Side effects such as nausea, joint pain, and fatigue may occur, but they can be managed. Report any side effects to your doctor.
- It is extremely important to inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
- Your oncologist will determine whether this treatment is right for you after tests.
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