First-in-Class Vepdegestrant Approved in Advanced Breast Cancer

The FDA has approved vepdegestrant (Veppanu), the first-in-class oral proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) estrogen receptor degrader, for adults with advanced or metastatic ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. This approval marks a significant milestone as it introduces an entirely new mechanism of action — targeted protein degradation — to the breast cancer treatment landscape. Vepdegestrant works by hijacking the cell's own protein disposal system to eliminate the estrogen receptor, offering a novel oral alternative for patients whose disease has progressed on existing endocrine therapies. The approval is expected to expand treatment options for the large population of patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer.