Raloxifene in breast cancer prevention.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Raloxifene is a benzothiophene, selective estrogen receptor modulator with estrogen-agonist effects in the skeleton and the cardiovascular system but estrogen-antagonist effects in the uterus and the mammary gland. This compound was first approved in different countries for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE/METHODS:

We performed a literature search to review available preclinical and clinical data that has led to the recent FDA approval of raloxifene as a chemopreventive agent for breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:

Different placebo-controlled trials indicated that raloxifene is effective in reducing invasive breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. In a recent comparative study, a similar efficacy between raloxifene and tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention was demonstrated, but raloxifene showed a more favorable safety profile.

• Authors: Luigi Gennari, Daniela Merlotti, Vincenzo De Paola, Ranuccio Nuti
• Journal: Expert opinion on drug safety (Expert Opin Drug Saf) Vol. 7 Issue 3 Pg. 259-70 (May 2008) ISSN: 1744-764X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 18462184 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anticarcinogenic Agents
• Estrogen Antagonists
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
• Raloxifene Hydrochloride

Topics

• Animals
• Anticarcinogenic Agents (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Breast Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Estrogen Antagonists (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Postmenopause
• Raloxifene Hydrochloride (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (adverse effects, pharmacology, therapeutic use)