Can We Predict Which Women will Benefit from Tamoxifen Prophylaxis

摘要

To prevent breast cancer, over 200,000 women are now taking tamoxifen and similar selective estrogen receptor modifiers (SERM) . We have laboratory data that shows that approximately 30% of women have defects in their breast cell's estrogen receptor or in its intracellular signaling mechanism. As a result, these women may not experience the antineoplastic effect of tamoxifen on breast cancer risk but only its side effects. We propose that contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE MRI) can detect this defect. CE MRI will be performed on postmenopausal women on tamoxifen therapy.