Definition

A drug that binds to and breaks down proteins called estrogen receptors (ERs), which are found inside the cells of female reproductive tissue, breast tissue, and other types of tissue, and some cancer cells. These drugs keep the hormone estrogen from binding to the ERs inside the cells and block the effects of estrogen in the body. Some breast cancer cells and other types of cancer cells have ERs and may need estrogen to grow. Treatment with selective estrogen receptor degraders may keep these cancer cells from growing. Examples of selective estrogen receptor degraders that have been approved to treat some types of breast cancer are fulvestrant and elacestrant. Also called SERD.