That changed in 2023, when Shannon was diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. She started treatment that led to menopausal symptoms. “The hot flashes hit hard. Night sweats drenched me. I’d wake up freezing, soaked through, and needing to change the sheets.”
Shannon found herself struggling. Menopausal symptoms disrupted her sleep, her mood, and her ability to focus. At work events, she sometimes had to excuse herself mid-conversation just to cool down. “It’s exhausting. My hormonal therapy has rocked me, and it’s been really hard. I don’t feel like me.”
Now, a new medicine approved by the FDA on Oct. 24 could offer relief for people like Shannon. Elinzanetant (Lynkuet) is the first drug of its kind approved for use in people with breast cancer on hormonal therapy to reduce hot flashes and night sweats. This class of drugs, called dual neurokinin-1 and -3 receptor antagonists, calms the brain circuits that control body temperature. Elinzanetant targets areas affected by lower estrogen levels during menopause. That means it may offer relief without affecting hormone-sensitive cancer treatments.
A phase III study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) in June 2025 showed that elinzanetant greatly lowered the frequency and intensity of hot flashes in women with a history of breast cancer. Participants also reported better sleep, fewer night sweats, and improved daily functioning.
Menopausal symptoms are a common side effect of breast cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, surgery, and hormonal therapies can all lead to early or sudden menopause, including in younger people. These changes may lead to intense hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, joint pain, and other symptoms that impact well-being. While these symptoms indicate that treatments are effective, they can also feel isolating and overwhelming. This is especially true when they show up suddenly or persist long after treatment finishes.
The study’s results show progress for those with menopausal symptoms from cancer treatment. The study also found:
- A reduction in daily hot flashes by more than 50% among participants within the first 12 weeks
- Better focus during the day and improved sleep quality among participants, especially for those with ongoing night sweats.
- Sustained relief over 52 weeks of continued treatment
- No interference with hormone therapy, which makes the drug a good choice for people with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer.
- Some mild side effects among a small number participants, such as fatigue or headache
For Shannon, the idea of real relief from these symptoms is important after years of coping with side effects from cancer treatment. She heard about elinzanetant from a midlife health specialist at a nearby women’s hospital. Some insurance companies won’t cover it unless people with menopausal symptoms try other medications first. Last week’s approval by the FDA means the drug will be available in the U.S. by November 2025, according to its manufacturer, Bayer.
“I’m sick of feeling like a patient. I want to feel like myself again,” she says. “This drug gives me hope.”
If you’re facing menopausal symptoms, know you’re not alone. Talk to your care team about your options. Visit LBBC’s menopausal symptoms page for more information or get support from LBBC’s community resources.
