[Biochemical mechanism of raloxifen and tamoxifen action for the prevention of breast cancer. Studies in vitro]

Ginekol Pol. 2000 Sep;71(9):1147-52.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Cancer growth follows fine balance disturbance between cell proliferation, differentiation and death. It has been shown that mutation of 4 to 5 genes controlling cellular proliferation events may be contributive to carcinogenesis. Estrogens play a central role in reproductive physiology. They are also a causative factors in the pathogenesis of neoplastic and non-neoplastic diseases, including breast cancer. The estrogen dependency of human breast cancer has been successfully exploited in the treatment of early and advanced diseases and provides a unique opportunity for chemoprevention of this common malignancy. The aim of present study was to examine the effects of tamoxifen and raloxifen on the induction of apoptosis and proliferative activity of human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. It has been found that both tamoxifen and raloxifen decreased the speed of cell cycle in MCF-7 cells and acts as proapoptotic factors. It reduces viability of cancer cells and probability of neoplastic clone multiplification. This effect conducts to limitation of cancer expansion.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / prevention & control*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Cell Division / drug effects*
  • Estrogen Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Estrogen Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride / pharmacology*
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride / therapeutic use
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / pharmacology*
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / therapeutic use
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology*
  • Tamoxifen / therapeutic use
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects

Substances

  • Estrogen Antagonists
  • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
  • Tamoxifen
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride