Chemoprevention of breast cancer: current and future prospects.
The groundwork for making the concept of breast cancer chemoprevention a clinical reality began over a century ago. Although tamoxifen's first clinical use was for the treatment of breast cancer, the earliest animal studies with the drug provided the scientific basis for chemoprevention. The extensive clinical experience, safety and laboratory data have made tamoxifen the current standard-of-care for the prevention of breast cancer in women at elevated risk. The STAR trial will address the value of raloxifene as a chemopreventative in postmenopausal women. Results will be available by 2005. Newer compounds are under development which hold the promise of expanded efficacy and narrower side-effect profile. These compounds will function as multifunctional medicines and will hold the promise of preventing breast and endometrial cancer, while providing the beneficial effects of preventing osteoporosis and coronary heart disease.
Pappas
Sam G
SG
Department of Surgery and Molecular Pharmacology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Jordan
V Craig
VC
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013629:Tamoxifen; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride