The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first country in the world to approve a new oral medication for a specific type of advanced breast cancer that no longer responds to hormone therapy. The approval marks a significant milestone in cancer treatment and offers renewed hope for patients with limited therapeutic options.
According to Gulf News, the drug named Etcamah has been approved for use in certain cases of metastatic or advanced breast cancer. It is specifically designed for patients whose tumors have developed resistance to endocrine or hormonal treatments.
Health authorities in the UAE confirmed that this genetic mutation can occur in patients already undergoing hormone-based therapies. When this happens, cancer cells may continue to grow despite standard treatment, making alternative targeted therapies essential.
The Emirates Drug Establishment stated that Etcamah works by blocking and degrading estrogen receptors within breast cancer cells. These receptors are known to act like biological “switches,” fueling the growth and spread of cancer when activated by hormones.
By targeting and shutting down these receptors, the medication disrupts the signaling pathway that drives tumor progression. This mechanism helps slow down or potentially stop the growth of cancer cells that no longer respond to conventional hormone therapy.
Medical experts say the approval of this oral treatment represents an important advancement in precision oncology, especially for patients with hormone-resistant breast cancer, where treatment options have traditionally been limited.
