Tamoxifen Concepts And Cancer

Tamoxifen was first approved in 1977 and up to now remains a noteworthy therapeutic weapon to treat mainly breast cancer. However, further considerations exist regarding the tamoxifen profile. This book discusses recent research and future perspectives in the tamoxifen field. The topics discussed include tamoxifen pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, clinical indications, therapeutic drug monitoring, autophagy mechanisms, tamoxifen topical formulation and breast cancer risk prevention, the use of tamoxifen in an oestrogen-independent manner for various neoplasms (Hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, high grade glioma), mechanisms of resistance, potential role of CYP2D6, tamoxifen and antidepressants interaction in a psychiatric view, obesity influence in tamoxifen treatment, electrical pulse-mediated tamoxifen delivery, and tamoxifen in melanoma treatment.

Tamoxifen was first approved in 1977 and up to now remains a noteworthy therapeutic weapon to treat mainly breast cancer. However, further considerations exist regarding the tamoxifen profile. This book discusses recent research and future perspectives in the tamoxifen field. The topics discussed include tamoxifen pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse effects, clinical indications, therapeutic drug monitoring, autophagy mechanisms, tamoxifen topical formulation and breast cancer risk prevention, the use of tamoxifen in an estrogen-independent manner for various neoplasms (Hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, high grade glioma), mechanisms of resistance, potential role of CYP2D6, tamoxifen and antidepressants interaction in a psychiatric view, obesity influence in tamoxifen treatment, electrical pulse-mediated tamoxifen delivery, and tamoxifen in melanoma treatment.

Tamoxifen has persisted as a widely accepted and administered drug for almost 25 years. Following the many scientific papers and books on the subject, it has remained a very intriguing substance. This, perhaps, is the reason for another monograph on Tamoxifen. It is regrettably true that overviews, even when up to date after exhaustive research - the shibboleth of our cultures -, rapidly lose relevance with the passage of time. Scientists can sometimes be pictured as deep sea divers, who plunge into the unknown in search of a hitherto unknown world. Their descent is exciting, but eventually they must come up for air and integrate their experiences with others who also had to resurface. This book intends to collect and, where possible, to collate recent, but sometimes seemingly unrelated information. To quote Stephane Mallarme: "Everything in the world exists to end up in a book". Even if this is a tad cynical, it might not be far from the truth. If a little knowledge is a dangerous commodity, one can also add - tongue in cheek - that a vast amount of knowledge can be truly hazardous. It is likely that what might seem as entangled data is confusing, especially for those satisfied with the comfortable interpretation of Tamoxifen as an antiestrogen which has long been found insufficient. The complexity of its mechanisms and effects defies simple explanations and may even seem capricious, but only because of our ignorance.

Starting in 1986, the European School of Oncology has expanded its activities in postgraduate teaching, which consisted mainly of traditional disease-orientated courses, by promoting new educational initiatives. One of these is the cloister seminars, short meetings intended for highly qualified oncologists and dealing with specific, controversial aspects of clinical practice and research. Another is the institution of permanent study groups, also called task forces, where a limited number of leading experts are invited to meet once a year with the aim of defining the state of the art and possibly reaching a consensus on developments and treatment in specific fields of oncology. This series of ESO Monographs was designed with the specific purpose of disseminating the results of the most interesting of the seminars and study groups, and providing concise and updated reviews of the subjects discussed. It was decided to keep the layout very simple in order to keep costs to a minimum and make the monographs available in the shortest possible time, thus overcoming a common problem in medical literature: that of the material being outdated even before publication. Umberto Veronesi Chairman, Scientific Committee European School of Oncology Table of Contents How to Read this Monograph F.CAvALLI ......... . 1 Experimental Strategies for Studying the Development of Breast Cancer with Special Reference to Steroid Hormones, Growth Factors and Oncogenes R.J.B. KING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 5 . . .

Currently there is considerable interest in the uses of tamoxifen not only to treat breast cancer but also to prevent it. Its potential as a major chemopreventative agent has attracted controversy relating to the possible harmful side-effects of tamoxifen therapy but also to its potential to protect against other cancers, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This book explains the molecular basis of the action of tamoxifen, knowledge of which is vital to the understanding of its present uses and future potential, particularly in relation to the development of new derivatives. The book is a fully integrated, extensively referenced account of a wide range of topics relevent to the clinical use of tamoxifen, providing a comprehensive guide for those working in clinical and biomedical research within the pharmaceutical industry and in the fields of biochemistry, pharmacology, nutrition, oncology, toxicology, molecular and cellular biology, pharmacy, and obstetrics and gynaecology. The book’s readable also makes it accessible to medical practitioners and students of medicine and biology.

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine, Ninth Edition, offers a balanced view of the most current knowledge of cancer science and clinical oncology practice. This all-new edition is the consummate reference source for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, internists, surgical oncologists, and others who treat cancer patients. A translational perspective throughout, integrating cancer biology with cancer management providing an in depth understanding of the disease An emphasis on multidisciplinary, research-driven patient care to improve outcomes and optimal use of all appropriate therapies Cutting-edge coverage of personalized cancer care, including molecular diagnostics and therapeutics Concise, readable, clinically relevant text with algorithms, guidelines and insight into the use of both conventional and novel drugs Includes free access to the Wiley Digital Edition providing search across the book, the full reference list with web links, illustrations and photographs, and post-publication updates

The European School of Oncology came into existence to respond to a need for information, education and training in the field of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. There are two main reasons why such an initiative was considered necessary. Firstly, the teaching of oncology requires a rigorously multidisciplinary approach which is difficult for the Universities to put into practice since their system is mainly disciplinary orientated. Secondly, the rate of technological development that impinges on the diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been so rapid that it is not an easy task for medical faculties to adapt their curricula flexibly. With its residential courses for organ pathologies and the seminars on new techniques (laser, monoclonal antibodies, imaging techniques etc.) or on the principal therapeutic controversies (conservative or mutilating surgery, primary or adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy alone or integrated), it is the ambition of the European School of Oncology to fill a cultural and scientific gap and, thereby, create a bridge between the University and Industry and between these two and daily medical practice. One of the more recent initiatives of ESO has been the institution of permanent study groups, also called task forces, where a limited number of leading experts are invited to meet once a year with the aim of defining the state of the art and possibly reaching a consensus on future developments in specific fields of oncology.

During the past twenty years tamoxifen has become the most widely prescribed and most successful drug used in the treatment of breast cancer. In this volume, editor V. Craig Jordan provides articles that trace the development, pharmacology, and clinical research surrounding this drug which, by the year 2000, could be used to treat as many as one million women annually. Drawing from research conducted by specialists in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, the series of articles describes the clinical testing of tamoxifen, highlighting the benefits. Studies show that tamoxifen lowers cholesterol and can potentially protect women against osteoporosis and fatal coronary heart disease. Equally important is a discussion of side effects and possible drug interactions and how these issues relate to patient concerns. An investigation of the development of a new class of drugs for use after tamoxifen fails provides valuable insight into future treatments, as the contributers consider possible resistance to tamoxifen. This volume provides invaluable information for physicians and surgeons who care for patients with breast cancer and for women interested in exploring this therapeutic dimension.