Update on raloxifene to prevent endometrial-breast cancer

In the mid 1980s when tamoxifen was shown to be associated with endometrial neoplasia there was a renewed interest in another SERM compound, raloxifen e. Experimental animal data suggested that raloxifene did not stimulate the endometrium as tamoxifen does while having similar anti-oestrogenic effect s in breast tissue as tamoxifen. Clinical data has now shown that raloxifen e does not stimulate the endometrium in postmenopausal women. It results in no hyperplasia, no increase in endometrium thickness or polyp formation an d virtually no proliferation. Further studies are necessary to see if long- term raloxifene use will reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. In studies of raloxifene as treatment for osteoporosis, when viewed as a secondary end point there was a significant reduction in risk of new onset breast cancer. Further studies with breast cancer as a primary endpoint are ongoing (the STAR Trial). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.