Breast cancer chemoprevention

Chemoprevention of breast cancer is a rapidly growing field. Chemopreventio n was initiated with the development of the antiestrogen tamoxifen. A major clinical trial in the United States found that tamoxifen reduced the incid ence of breast cancer by almost 50% in women at an increased risk for the d isease. Although two European trials did not confirm these findings, the Fo od and Drug Administration found the American studies significant enough to approve tamoxifen for the delaying of breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. However, adverse effects associated with tamoxifen include a minimally increased rate of endometrial cancer, cataracts, and strokes. Newer classes of antiestrogens, called selective estrogen receptor modulato rs (SERMs), are being investigated as potential chemopreventive agents. The se SERMS, such as raloxifene, will hopefully provide some of the benefits o f estrogens without its inherent risks. In addition, naturally occurring co mpounds and their analogues are also under investigation. (C) 2000 by Excer pta Medica, Inc.