Abstract
Tamoxifen is a widely known anti-estrogen which has been employed in adjuvant treatment of early-stage, estrogen- sensitive breast cancer for over 20 years. Less well known are the effects of tamoxifen on immune function, which we discuss here. We review the growing body of evidence which demonstrates immunomodulatory effects of tamoxifen, including in vitro and in vivo studies as well as observations made in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Taken together these studies suggest that tamoxifen is capable of inducing a shift from cellular (T-helper 1) to humoral (T-helper 2) immunity. Interestingly, the immunomodulatory effects of tamoxifen appear to be independent of the estrogen-receptor and may be mediated through the multidrug resistance gene product, Permeability-glycoprotein, for which a role in immunity has recently emerged. We furthermore discuss the clinical implications of the immunomodulatory effects of tamoxifen which are twofold. First, tamoxifen may be useful in the treatment of immune-mediated disorders, particularly of those arising from aberrant T-helper 1 cell activity, including allograft rejection, Crohns disease, and Th1-mediated autoimmune conditions such as diabetes mellitus, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis. Second, given that cellular T-helper 1 immunity is targeted against cancer cells, the tamoxifen-induced shift away from cellular immunity represents a significant step in fostering a cancerogenic environment. This may limit the anti-cancer effects of tamoxifen and thus explain why tamoxifen is inferior compared to other anti-estrogens in preventing disease recurrence in early-stage breast tumors.
Keywords: Tamoxifen, immunity, modulation, Permeability-glycoprotein, P-glycoprotein
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: The Effects of Tamoxifen on Immunity
Volume: 16 Issue: 24
Author(s): S. Behjati and M. H. Frank
Affiliation:
Keywords: Tamoxifen, immunity, modulation, Permeability-glycoprotein, P-glycoprotein
Abstract: Tamoxifen is a widely known anti-estrogen which has been employed in adjuvant treatment of early-stage, estrogen- sensitive breast cancer for over 20 years. Less well known are the effects of tamoxifen on immune function, which we discuss here. We review the growing body of evidence which demonstrates immunomodulatory effects of tamoxifen, including in vitro and in vivo studies as well as observations made in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen. Taken together these studies suggest that tamoxifen is capable of inducing a shift from cellular (T-helper 1) to humoral (T-helper 2) immunity. Interestingly, the immunomodulatory effects of tamoxifen appear to be independent of the estrogen-receptor and may be mediated through the multidrug resistance gene product, Permeability-glycoprotein, for which a role in immunity has recently emerged. We furthermore discuss the clinical implications of the immunomodulatory effects of tamoxifen which are twofold. First, tamoxifen may be useful in the treatment of immune-mediated disorders, particularly of those arising from aberrant T-helper 1 cell activity, including allograft rejection, Crohns disease, and Th1-mediated autoimmune conditions such as diabetes mellitus, scleroderma, and multiple sclerosis. Second, given that cellular T-helper 1 immunity is targeted against cancer cells, the tamoxifen-induced shift away from cellular immunity represents a significant step in fostering a cancerogenic environment. This may limit the anti-cancer effects of tamoxifen and thus explain why tamoxifen is inferior compared to other anti-estrogens in preventing disease recurrence in early-stage breast tumors.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Behjati S. and Frank H. M., The Effects of Tamoxifen on Immunity, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 16 (24) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709788803042
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709788803042 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Approaches to the treatment of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of numerous diseases, significantly impacting global health. Although chronic inflammation is a hot topic, not much has been written about approaches to its treatment. This thematic issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in chronic inflammation treatment and foster discussion on future directions in this ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Probiotics/Prebiotics in Viral Respiratory Infections: Implication for Emerging Pathogens
Recent Patents on Biotechnology Sensitive and Selective Immunofluorescence Assay for CA15-3 Detection Using Fluorescein Derivative A10254
Protein & Peptide Letters Meet Our Editorial Board Member:
Current Pharmaceutical Design Probiotics as an Alternative Strategy for Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases: A Review
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) A New Method to Measure P-gp (ABCB1) Activity
Drug Metabolism Letters Growth Inhibition of Various Human Cancer Cell Lines by Imperatorin and Limonin from Poncirus Trifoliata Rafin. Seeds
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Radiation and Gene Therapy: Rays of Hope for the New Millennium?
Current Gene Therapy B Cell Depletion with Rituximab in Graves Disease and Associated Orbitopathy
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 (PARP-1) as Immune Regulator
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Interactions between Transporters and Herbal Medicines/Drugs: A Focus on Hepatoprotective Compounds
Current Drug Metabolism Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) as Potential Molecular Targets for Therapy of Hematological Malignancies
Current Molecular Medicine Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence: The Roles of Hypertension, Duration of Atrial Fibrillation Disease, and Prolonged Signal-Averaged P Wave Duration
Current Cardiology Reviews Mediterranean Diet, Brain and Muscle: Olive Polyphenols and Resveratrol Protection in Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disorders
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nutritional Antioxidants and Adaptive Cell Responses: An Update
Current Molecular Medicine Small Peptide and Protein-based Molecular Probes for Imaging Neurological Diseases
Current Protein & Peptide Science Src Inhibitors as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Human Cancers
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Interplay of Drug Metabolizing CYP450 Enzymes and ABC Transporters in the Blood-Brain Barrier
Current Drug Metabolism Is Bilirubin a Marker of Vascular Disease and/or Cancer and is it a Potential Therapeutic Target?
Current Pharmaceutical Design New Developments in Targeted Analysis of Protein Posttranslational Modifications
Current Proteomics ADAM10 as a Therapeutic Target for Cancer and Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design