Anti-estrogens:current status and trends in the treatment of breast cancer

Antiestrogens have proven to be highly effective in the treatment of estrogen receptor- dependent breast cancer.Two major types of antiestrogenic agents are structurally categorized as selective estrogen receptor modulators(SERMs)and pure antiestrogens.The former includes triphenylethylenes, benzothiophenes,naphthalenes,benzopyrans,indoles,and the latter consists of both steroidal and non- steroidal compounds.Aromatase inhibitors play a mimic anti-estrogenic role by suppressing the biosynthe- sis of endogenous estrogen.Antiestrogens function the apoptosis of cancer cells by preventing estrogen from activating estrogen receptors.This review details the mechanisms,effects and research advances of antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors.