New Molecule Discovery Shows Promise Against Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancers

Related Encyclopedia • Adenocarcinoma of the Lung and Brain Metastases • AIDS and HIV Infection • Amenorrhea • Amniocentesis More... Related Healthscout Videos A Welcome Message from Survivor PJ Hamel Smother Says "Cut!" Maryann and Paula When's the Next Free Mammogram Day? October 17, 2008!!! More... Related Animations • Breast Reduction • Breast Self-Exam Video • Colon Cancer • Erectile Dysfunction More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Cialis • Detrol LA • Diflucan More... Related News Articles • Family History of Aneurysm Raises Stroke Risk for Smokers • Heart Drug May Be a Cancer Fighter • More 'Screen Time' Linked to Poor Fitness in Girls • Teen Birth Rate Up in 26 States in 2006 More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

But almost all cancers in this category eventually become resistant to tamoxifen and, in some cases, tamoxifen may even turn the tables and start acting like estrogen, thereby fueling tumor growth.

Through extensive laboratory testing, the study authors identified a group of compounds related to TPBM that interfered with estrogen's effect on breast cancer cells via a different pathway. The molecules work by affecting the way estrogen receptors interact with a woman's DNA, the researchers said.

TPBM has the advantage of being "highly specific" and therefore much less likely to have any unwanted effects on other cells. It also works against tamoxifen when tamoxifen starts fueling tumor growth, the researchers said.

Text Continues Below

---

"As we look forward with all of our research and our capabilities, we'll hopefully continue to discover new ways to exploit hormone sensitivity," Lichtenfeld said. "This may be the next pathway, although we can't say that for sure... Hormonal approaches to breast cancer continue to add, literally, years to lives."

More information

For more on treating breast cancer, visit the National Cancer Institute.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2