Endocrinology and hormone therapy in breast cancer: Selective oestrogen receptor modulators and downregulators for breast cancer – have they lost their way?

摘要: Although tamoxifen has been an effective treatment for breast cancer, several novel anti-oestrogen compounds have developed with a reduced agonist profile on and gynaecological tissues. These include selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs; both 'tamoxifen-like' 'fixed-ring' SERMs) downregulators (SERDs), although none proved superior in efficacy to various advanced cancer trials. Thus, many questioned whether need SERMs still exists, chemoprevention remains possible niche setting. In contrast, SERDs may useful following aromatase inhibitors because of their unique mechanism action, clinical trials determine optimal use or sequence are ongoing.