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Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics ›› 2015, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (4): 460-465.

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Epigenetic modulation——A novel therapeutic strategy for tamoxifen resistance

LOU Xiao-ya1, SUN Hong1,2, ZHOU Hong-hao1   

  1. 1 Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University and Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha 410078, Hunan, China;
    2 Department of Pharmacy, Provincial Clinical College of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fuzhou 350001, Fujian, China
  • Received:2014-11-22 Revised:2015-04-01 Published:2015-05-07

Abstract: Tamoxifen (TAM) is a synthetic non-steroid anti-estrogen drug, which is widely used to treat estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer patients. However, about 40% ER positive patients develop acquired-resistance of TAM. Epigenetics is a totally new research direction. In this review, we will focus on the current progress of epigenetic regulation of mechanisms underlying TAM resistance, in order to get a better understand of TAM resistance and provide a new strategy for breast cancer therapy.

Key words: breast cancer, tamoxifen resistance, epigenetic modulation, DNA methylation, transcriptional silencing

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