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Effects of raloxifene on cardiovascular events and breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The effect of raloxifene, a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, on coronary heart disease (CHD) and breast cancer is not established. METHODS: We randomly assigned 10,101 postmenopausal women (mean age, 67.5 years) with CHD or multiple risk factors for CHD to 60 mg of raloxifene daily or placebo and followed them for a median of 5.6 years. The two primary outcomes were coronary events (i.e., death from coronary causes, myocardial infarction, or hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome) and invasive breast cancer. RESULTS: As compared with placebo, raloxifene had no significant effect on the risk of primary coronary events (533 vs. 553 events; hazard ratio, 0.95; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.84 to 1.07), and it reduced the risk of invasive breast cancer (40 vs. 70 events; hazard ratio, 0.56; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.38 to 0.83; absolute risk reduction, 1.2 invasive breast cancers per 1000 women treated for one year); the benefit was primarily due to a reduced risk of estrogen-receptor-positive invasive breast cancers. There was no significant difference in the rates of death from any cause or total stroke according to group assignment, but raloxifene was associated with an increased risk of fatal stroke (59 vs. 39 events; hazard ratio, 1.49; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.00 to 2.24; absolute risk increase, 0.7 per 1000 woman-years) and venous thromboembolism (103 vs. 71 events; hazard ratio, 1.44; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.06 to 1.95; absolute risk increase, 1.2 per 1000 woman-years). Raloxifene reduced the risk of clinical vertebral fractures (64 vs. 97 events; hazard ratio, 0.65; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.47 to 0.89; absolute risk reduction, 1.3 per 1000). CONCLUSIONS: Raloxifene did not significantly affect the risk of CHD. The benefits of raloxifene in reducing the risks of invasive breast cancer and vertebral fracture should be weighed against the increased risks of venous thromboembolism and fatal stroke. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00190593 [ClinicalTrials.gov].).

Aged↗

Expression and regulation of Cyr61 in human breast cancer cell lines.

We have shown that Cyr61, an angiogenic regulator, is overexpressed in invasive and metastatic human breast cancer cells and tumor biopsies. We have further demonstrated that Cyr61 promotes acquisition of estrogen-independence and anti-estrogen resistance in vivo in breast cancer cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that Cyr61 induces tumor formation and tumor vascularization in vivo, events mediated through the activation of the MAPK and the Akt signaling pathways. Here we investigate how Cyr61 expression is regulated in both estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that Cyr61 mRNA and protein expression is inducible by estrogen and anti-estrogens in ER-positive breast cancer cells. We show that a labile protein as well as a negative regulator might be involved in Cyr61 expression in estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. Other important regulators of Cyr61 expression in breast cancer cells that we found are the phorbol ester TPA, vitamin D, and retinoic acid. TPA causes positive regulation of Cyr61 expression in ER-positive MCF-7 cells. Vitamin D induces a transient stimulatory effect on Cyr61 gene expression. Lastly, retinoic acid has a negative effect on Cyr61 expression and downregulates its expression in MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, most of these effects are not seen in aggressive breast cancer cells that do not express ER and express high levels of Cyr61, such as the MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results are in agreement with our knowledge that Cyr61 promotes tumor growth, and that tumor-promoting agents have a positive impact on cells that express low levels of Cyr61, such as the ER-positive breast cancer cells; however, these agents have no significant effect on cells that express high levels of Cyr61. Our findings suggest an association between increased Cyr61 expression and an aggressive phenotype of breast cancer cells.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

Raloxifene is associated with less side effects than tamoxifen in women with early breast cancer: a questionnaire study from one physician's practice.

OBJECTIVE: Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are being used increasingly for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. The currently available SERMs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, are both associated with antiestrogenic side effects that can be bothersome. However, no data exist on how they compare in this regard. We conducted a retrospective, questionnaire-based study to answer this question. METHODS: Women with early breast cancer in one physician's practice who had received either or both of these drugs were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Respondents graded the frequency and severity of side effects related to estrogen deprivation, such as vaginal dryness, mood changes, hot flashes, weight gain, and changes in libido, as well as other side effects, such as vaginal discharge. They were separated into three groups for analysis (group 1, tamoxifen only; group 2, raloxifene only; group 3, both drugs). Side effects graded 4 or 5 (or weight gain >10 pounds) were considered severe. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-four questionnaires were available for analysis. Women on raloxifene had a shorter average duration of therapy. In comparing the tamoxifen and raloxifene groups, vaginal discharge, severe hot flashes, and weight gain of >10 pounds were significantly more frequent with tamoxifen. However, weight gain was also related to the duration of therapy with either drug. CONCLUSIONS: In this observational study, antiestrogenic side effects were common with either tamoxifen or raloxifene. Raloxifene is associated with significantly less vaginal discharge and severe hot flashes than tamoxifen in women with early breast cancer. Although weight gain of >10 pounds may also occur less frequently on this drug, this may be confounded by the shorter average duration of raloxifene therapy.

Adult↗

Raloxifene: recent information on skeletal and non-skeletal effects.

Raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, is currently used for both prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Recent data from the MORE (Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene Evaluation) trial have evaluated health-related quality of life, 1-year clinical vertebral fracture reduction, and the correlation of bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover with vertebral fracture reduction. In addition, new information on the effects of raloxifene in breast cancer prevention, cardiovascular disease in high-risk women, and uterine disorders is reviewed.

Bone Density↗

Preventing and treating osteoporosis: strategies at the millennium.

Osteoporosis has been defined as "a progressive systemic disease characterized by low bone density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture." Osteoporosis and the consequences of compromised bone strength--particularly vertebral and hip fractures--are a significant cause of frailty, and increased morbidity and even mortality and hence are a serious and costly public health problem in the elderly population. However, due to remarkable advances in basic and clinical research and in drug design, development, and testing, a number of efficacious, evidence-based options are available for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. These options extend far beyond estrogen/progestin therapy and include lifestyle and dietary changes such as increasing weight-bearing activity, enhancing calcium and vitamin D intake, as well as incorporating pharmacologic agents such as the bisphosphonates and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as raloxifene. In addition to its efficacy in increasing bone mineral density and reducing vertebral fractures by almost 40% in women with osteoporosis, the SERM raloxifene appears to promote a cardioprotective profile and to offer some protection against breast cancer. The potential of raloxifene to prevent or delay the development of a number of chronic diseases of aging such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and perhaps even Alzheimer's disease has stimulated the development and refinement of subsequent generations of SERMs aimed at maximizing beneficial effects in a wide variety of tissues while eliminating deleterious outcomes and side effects.

Diphosphonates↗

Raloxifene prevents cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in pressure-overloaded mice.

17beta-estradiol reduces myocardial hypertrophy and left ventricular mass, suggesting that the selective estrogen receptor modulator raloxifene may have similar effects. However, it is not clear whether raloxifene inhibits both cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. We used transverse aortic-banded mice to produce pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy and used neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes to investigate the cellular mechanisms of raloxifene on cardiac hypertrophy. Left ventricular mass and fractional shortening of mice hearts were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. Protein synthesis of cardiomyocytes was evaluated by incorporation of [3H]leucine into cardiomyocytes exposed to angiotensin II. Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase was also observed in cardiomyocytes. Raloxifene prevented increases in left ventricular mass and decreases of fractional shortening at 4 weeks after aortic banding. Pretreatment with raloxifene before angiotensin II stimulation inhibited the increase in [3H]leucine incorporation into neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition was partially but not significantly attenuated by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, and completely abolished by ICI182780, an estrogen receptor antagonist. Although the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), or extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in cardiomyocytes was significantly increased by angiotensin II stimulation as compared with the control, pretreatment with raloxifene attenuated p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, but neither JNK nor ERK phosphorylation. We conclude that raloxifene inhibits cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction and that the inhibition of p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation after the stimulation of estrogen receptors may be involved in the cellular mechanisms of this agent.

Animals↗

Postmenopausal osteoporosis in the dialysis patient.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Osteoporosis is the most prevalent bone disorder in the general population, particularly in the middle and older age groups. Although more than half of the prevalent dialysis population is within these age groups, little concern has been given to the possible role of estrogen deficiency in the pathogenesis of bone disease in end-stage renal disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent published evidence that supports a potential role of the postmenopausal state in the pathogenesis of bone disease in end-stage renal disease and their implications for treatment. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies have shown that although the risk factors for fracture in end-stage renal disease are similar to the general population, the incidence is three to fourfold higher. The high prevalence of older population, the frequently observed premature amenorrhea and early menopause in dialysis patients may play a role. Similarly, the proportion of end-stage renal disease women receiving hormone replacement therapy is at least three times lower than the general population. Recent evidence on the risk of hormone replacement therapy should caution about its use in end-stage renal disease patients. New evidence suggests that selective estrogen receptor modulators may increase bone mass without significant secondary effects. Other alternatives, such as the use of bisphosphonates, should be considered with caution due to the risk of excessive suppression of bone turnover, worsening or favoring the development of adynamic bone disease. SUMMARY: Osteoporosis should be recognized as an important entity that may modify the current conception of renal osteodystrophy in postmenopausal patients with end-stage renal disease. Further clinical studies are needed in order to propose strategies that may reduce the impact of postmenopausal osteoporosis in the dialysis population.

Bone Density↗

Osteoporosis management.

About 40% of women who reach the age of 50 are expected to suffer from osteoporosis during their remaining life. The morbidity associated with hip, spinal and wrist fractures, resulting from osteoporosis, and the mortality resulting from hip fractures justify the development of prevention strategies. Optimal management of osteoporosis consists of maximizing peak bone mass in early adulthood and preventing the rapid bone loss that occurs soon after the menopause. Peak bone mass will be reached in most women if adequate nutrition is taken and exercise is encouraged, while major risk factors are avoided. At the menopause, prescription of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) constitutes the primary prevention strategy. There are, however, questions that remain unanswered or debated. What is the optimal dose of HRT, when should it be started, and for how long should it be maintained? In women who do not, or may not, take HRT, and who have osteoporosis, alternative therapeutic options include diphosphonates (e.g., alendronate) and Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (such as raloxifene). Other treatments to restore bone strength in women with established disease may also reduce the risk of fractures. Some of them, such as calcitonin, may not be cost effective. Others have produced conflicting data (fluoride) and others are still under evaluation (PTH or strontium). In sunlight-deprived, vitamin D-deficient elderly nursing home residents, dietary supplementation of calcium and vitamin D has been shown to prevent bone loss and fractures. Strategies to avoid falls should also be encouraged for these patients.

Aged↗

Update on osteoporosis therapy.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength that predisposes a person to increased fracture risk. Fractures are often associated with increased morbidity, higher mortality, loss of function and even psychological consequences. Pharmacotherapeutic interventions (e.g., bisphosphonates, selective estrogen receptor modulators, calcitonin, and teriparatide) in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis provide substantial reduction in fracture risk over and above risk reduction with calcium and vitamin D supplementation alone. The importance of nutritional support along with an appropriate exercise regimen, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use is to be emphasized along with the pharmacologic approach to osteoporosis. Despite the effectiveness of therapy with pharmacologic agents, most patients who start therapy do not remain on treatment for more than 1 year.

Accidental Falls↗

[Chemoprevention of breast cancer. Clinical trials in pharmacological prevention].

The following review article focuses on chemoprevention clinical trials of breast cancer. To date, SERMs (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators) have been the most studied drugs. Four randomized trials with tamoxifen vs. placebo have been performed and two with raloxifene are being carried out. Two tamoxifen trials showed between 30 and 50% reduction in breast cancer incidence. However, two other studies showed no statistical differences. Moreover, the real impact on mortality that these therapies could have is still unknown. This article includes a revision of trials that evaluated the relationship between daily vitamin intake and breast cancer. A follow up of these trials will give us answers about which patients will benefit from chemoprevention therapies.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

Malignant mixed mullerian tumor of the uterus in a patient taking raloxifene.

BACKGROUND: Uterine malignant mixed mesodermal tumor is a rare variant of uterine cancer. Data suggest that tamoxifen is involved in the pathogenesis. We report a case of a women in whom a malignant mixed mesodermal tumor was diagnosed while she was taking raloxifene, which is also a selective estrogen receptor modulator. CASE: A malignant mixed mesodermal tumor was diagnosed in a 64-year-old woman with a bicornuate uterus while she was taking raloxifene for osteoporosis prevention. Diagnosis had been delayed secondary to sampling of the other uterine horn. CONCLUSION: There may be an association between raloxifene and the development of malignant mixed mesodermal tumor. Special attention should be paid when attempting to sample the endometrium in patients with mullerian abnormalities.

Biopsy, Needle↗

Chemoprevention of cancer.

In this short article, we review the conceptual basis for chemoprevention of cancer, the proven clinical efficacy of this concept, and current trends to develop new chemopreventive agents based on understanding of their mechanisms of action. Four classes of new agents, namely selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2, selective estrogen receptor modulators, rexinoids (retinoids that bind selectively to the receptors known as RXRs) and ligands for the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma are discussed in detail. The importance of developing totally new classes of chemopreventive agents is stressed, with particular emphasis on the potential usefulness of new synthetic triterpenoids derived from naturally occurring molecules.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Toremifene--a promising therapy for the prevention of prostate cancer and complications of androgen deprivation therapy.

Deregulation of the estrogen axis in humans prompts a series of tissue-specific events. In the breast and prostate, alterations in estrogen signalling lead to genotypic and phenotypic molecular alterations that result in dysplastic cellular appearance, deregulated cell growth and carcinoma. In bone, decreased estrogen leads to increased osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, decreased bone mineral density and a significant fracture risk. Toremifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that exerts pharmacological activity in the breast, bone and prostate. An intense interest in developing this agent for prostate cancer chemoprevention is based on the reduction of premalignant and malignant prostate lesions in a transgenic model of prostate cancer. Biological and clinical activity was demonstrated in Phase II trials by the prevention of progression to prostate cancer in men with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia and through suppression of bone turnover biomarkers and increased bone mineral density in men on androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer.

Androgen Antagonists↗

Benzothiophene and naphthalene derived constrained SERMs.

For selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), the orientation of the basic side chain relative to the SERM core has a significant impact on function. The synthesis and biological evaluation of two series of SERMs are disclosed, where the ligand side chain is constrained to adopt a defined orientation. Compounds where the side chain is forced into the plane of the SERM core have a different profile compared to those compounds where the side chain is pseudo-orthogonal, particularly with regard to antagonism of estradiol action on an Ishikawa uterine cell line.

Animals↗

Homocysteine in postmenopausal women and the importance of hormone replacement therapy.

Homocysteine (Hcy) has been shown to damage the vascular endothelial cells, contributing to atherothrombosis. The increase in plasma Hcy levels with natural menopause suggests a close relationship between Hcy metabolism and estrogen status and proposes one of the mechanisms through which menopause unfavorably affects cardiovascular disease risk in women. In addition to the prevention of osteoporosis, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) lowers Hcy levels in postmenopausal women. The first report by van der Mooren et al., demonstrated in an uncontrolled study a significant reduction (11%) in fasting serum Hcy level after 6 months of treatment with sequentially combined estradiol-dydrogesterone therapy in 21 healthy postmenopausal women. This effect was particularly evident in women with initially elevated baseline serum Hcy concentrations. Similar results were found in other studies in which women were treated with various transdermal as well as oral HRT regimens, although two studies could not confirm these findings. All these studies were uncontrolled, and three of them consisted of a relatively small number of participants. Therefore, they remained inconclusive. Three randomized controlled trials on HRT and Hcy were published to date, confirming that postmenopausal HRT reduces circulating levels of Hcy. Current and recent HRT use is associated with a slight increased risk of breast cancer. As a result of this, research has centered on finding compounds that can prevent the consequences of estrogen deficiency, without the potential risk of HRT. Raloxifene, referred to as a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator (SERM), has the potential as a viable alternative to HRT. Recently, two randomized controlled trials demonstrated that raloxifene lowers plasma Hcy levels in postmenopausal women, similar to the reduction obtained with HRT. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the HRT-associated lowering of plasma Hcy. Proposed mechanisms relate to an increase in kidney methionine synthase activity or may be related to the transamination of methionine. We conclude that HRT decreases plasma Hcy levels in postmenopausal women and that the strongest reductions can be achieved in women with the highest concentrations.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Effects of raloxifene after tamoxifen on breast and endometrial tumor growth in athymic mice.

BACKGROUND: In patients with early-stage breast cancer, 5 years of treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) tamoxifen reduces breast cancer recurrence and mortality, whereas more than 5 years of tamoxifen does not further reduce breast cancer recurrence and doubles the risk of endometrial cancer. We evaluated the effects on tumor growth of raloxifene, another SERM, after tamoxifen treatment in mouse models of breast and endometrial cancers. METHODS: Athymic, ovariectomized mice were bitransplanted with tumors derived from human breast cancer and endometrial cancer cells that either were tamoxifen-naive or had been exposed to tamoxifen for short (6 months) or long (>5 years) terms. The effects of raloxifene (two dose levels) and tamoxifen on tumor growth in the presence and absence of low-dose estrogen were evaluated. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: Raloxifene was less effective than tamoxifen in blocking the stimulatory effects of low-dose estrogen on the growth of tamoxifen-naive breast (P<.001) and endometrial (P =.001) tumors. Raloxifene and tamoxifen had similar inhibitory effects on the growth of short-term tamoxifen-exposed breast tumors. Raloxifene and tamoxifen had similar stimulatory effects on the growth of breast and endometrial tumors that had been exposed to at least 5 years of tamoxifen. However, neither drug blocked the stimulatory effects of estrogen on the growth of these tumors. Raloxifene was less effective than tamoxifen (P<.001) in blocking the stimulatory effects of estrogen on endometrial tumors that had been exposed to tamoxifen in the past. CONCLUSIONS: Raloxifene and tamoxifen had similar effects on these mouse models of tamoxifen-naive and tamoxifen-resistant breast and endometrial cancer. Treatment with raloxifene following 5 years of adjuvant tamoxifen may not further decrease breast cancer recurrence and may increase endometrial cancer incidence.

Animals↗

Two antiestrogens affect differently chromatin remodeling of trefoil factor 1 (pS2) gene and the fate of estrogen receptor in MCF7 cells.

We show here that the two antagonists ICI 182 780, a pure estrogen antagonist, and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) have distinct effects on TFF1 (formerly pS2) gene chromatin structure and transcription. Indeed, ICI 182 780 decreased both the intensity of the hormone-dependent DNase I hypersensitive site pS2 HS-1 and transcription of the pS2 gene whereas 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (OH-Tam) increased the intensity of pS2-HS1 and had no effect on pS2 gene transcription. Interestingly, these differential effects are associated with different fates of ERalpha following the two treatments: The ERalpha-OH-Tam complex was retained in the nucleus more efficiently than the ERalpha-estradiol complex. In contrast, ICI 182 780 provoked a rapid relocation of ERalpha complex to an insoluble nuclear fraction, followed by its degradation. Taken together, these data suggest that regulating the amount of ERalpha in the nucleus is a major way of action of estrogen antagonists with respect to chromatin remodeling and transcriptional control.

Blotting, Western↗

Historical perspective on hormonal therapy of advanced breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endocrine therapy is the preferred first-line therapy in patients with nonaggressive, receptor-positive, metastatic breast cancer. Endocrine therapies in these patients are as effective as chemotherapy in terms of survival and tumor response. In addition, hormonal therapies produce fewer and less severe adverse effects than does chemotherapy. Classes of endocrine therapy currently on the market include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors, and progestins. For several decades, tamoxifen has been considered the gold standard of therapy. However, despite its proven efficacy, a high proportion of patients do not respond. Therefore, a need exists for alternative therapies or for agents to use following tamoxifen failure. OBJECTIVE: This review article highlights the various endocrine options available for patients with advanced breast cancer and discusses new agents on the horizon. CONCLUSIONS: Although more studies are needed to determine the optimal sequence of hormonal therapy and the ideal agent within each class, the availability of new and multiple options is encouraging for women with advanced breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗