Update on raloxifene to prevent endometrial-breast cancer.
In the mid 1980s when tamoxifen was shown to be associated with endometrial neoplasia there was a renewed interest in another SERM compound, raloxifene. Experimental animal data suggested that raloxifene did not stimulate the endometrium as tamoxifen does while having similar anti-oestrogenic effects in breast tissue as tamoxifen. Clinical data has now shown that raloxifene does not stimulate the endometrium in postmenopausal women. It results in no hyperplasia, no increase in endometrium thickness or polyp formation and virtually no proliferation. Further studies are necessary to see if long-term raloxifene use will reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. In studies of raloxifene as treatment for osteoporosis, when viewed as a secondary endpoint there was a significant reduction in risk of new onset breast cancer. Further studies with breast cancer as a primary endpoint are ongoing (the STAR Trial).
Goldstein
S R
SR
New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue Suite 10N, New York, NY 10016, USA. steven.goldstein@med.nyu.edu
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride