Breast Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breast Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Selective estrogen-receptor modulators and antihormonal resistance in breast cancer.

Jordan VC, O'Malley BW

Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19111-2497, USA. v.craig.jordan@fccc.edu

Selective estrogen-receptor (ER) modulators (SERMs) are synthetic nonsteroidal compounds that switch on and switch off target sites throughout the body. Tamoxifen, the pioneering SERM, blocks estrogen action by binding to the ER in breast cancers. Tamoxifen has been used ubiquitously in clinical practice during the last 30 years for the treatment of breast cancer and is currently available to reduce the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women. Raloxifene maintains bone density (estrogen-like effect) in postmenopausal osteoporotic women, but at the same time reduces the incidence of breast cancer in both high- and low-risk (osteoporotic) postmenopausal women. Unlike tamoxifen, raloxifene does not increase the incidence of endometrial cancer. Clearly, the simple ER model of estrogen action can no longer be used to explain SERM action at different sites around the body. Instead, a new model has evolved on the basis of the discovery of protein partners that modulate estrogen action at distinct target sites. Coactivators are the principal players that assemble a complex of functional proteins around the ligand ER complex to initiate transcription of a target gene at its promoter site. A promiscuous SERM ER complex creates a stimulatory signal in growth factor receptor-rich breast or endometrial cancer cells. These events cause drug-resistant, SERM-stimulated growth. The sometimes surprising pharmacology of SERMs has resulted in a growing interest in the development of new selective medicines for other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily. This will allow the precise treatment of diseases that was previously considered impossible.

Published 19 December 2007 in J Clin Oncol, 25(36): 5815-24.
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