Can Fulvestrant/Fuxit and Anastrozole be used together?

Fulvestrant (Fulvestrant) and Anastrozole (Anastrozole) are both endocrine treatment drugs for breast cancer, but their mechanisms of action are different. Fulvestrant is a selective estrogen receptor degrader that blocks estrogen signals by inducing receptor degradation; anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that reduces hormone levels by inhibiting estrogen synthesis in the body, thereby indirectly inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. The two mechanisms are complementary, and theoretically combined application can achieve dual inhibition and improve the anti-tumor effect.

Clinical studies and multicenter trials have shown that the combination of fulvestrant and anastrozole can prolong progression-free survival in patients with advanced estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and improve tumor burden in some refractory patients. Combination therapy is particularly suitable for patients who have disease progression after initial aromatase inhibitor therapy or who have low tolerance to a single agent. The advantage of this combined regimen is that it inhibits estrogen signaling through different links, reduces the incidence of tumor drug resistance, and at the same time improves the clinical remission rate to a certain extent.

In terms of safety, combination therapy was generally well tolerated, but with an increased spectrum of side effects. The most common include injection site reactions, arthralgia, osteoporosis, and mild hematologic abnormalities. Compared with monotherapy, some patients may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort or hot flashes, but these can generally be controlled with regular monitoring and supportive care. Clinicians usually develop personalized dosage and combination regimens based on the patient's individual response and previous medication to maximize efficacy and safety.

In conclusion, the combination of fulvestrant and anastrozole provides a new treatment strategy for patients with advanced ER+ breast cancer. They work synergistically through different mechanisms to improve the ability to control hormone-dependent tumors while maintaining good tolerability.

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/fulvestrant.html