Tamoxifen: Difference between revisions
(table reworked) |
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| see also | | see also | ||
|- | |- | ||
| tamoxifen | | tamoxifen free base | ||
| | | 371.51 g/mol | ||
| | | 8.85 | ||
| | | <0.01% at 20ºC (insoluble in water) | ||
| [http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/tamox.htm RX] | | [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/ProductDetail.do?N4=T5648&N5=SEARCH_CONCAT_PNO Sigma] [http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/tamox.htm RX] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) | | 4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) | ||
| 387.51 g/mol | | 387.51 g/mol | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| ? | | ? | ||
| [http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=449459 PubChem] | | [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/ProductDetail.do?N4=H7904&N5=SEARCH_CONCAT_PNO Sigma] [http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=449459 PubChem] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| tamoxifen citrate | | tamoxifen citrate | ||
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| 8.85 | | 8.85 | ||
| 0.5 mg/mL | | 0.5 mg/mL | ||
| [http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=2733525 PubChem] | | [http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/ProductDetail.do?N4=T9262&N5=SEARCH_CONCAT_PNO Sigma] [http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=2733525 PubChem] | ||
|} | |} | ||
Revision as of 05:59, 7 April 2009
Tamoxifen is a common breast cancer drug (Nolvadex, Istubal, and Valodex). In molecular biology tamoxifen activates enzymes inactivated by fusion to a modified estrogen receptor (ER). This is employed, for example, in the timed activation of Cre recombinase in CreER mice.
Chemical data for tamoxifen
tamoxifen forumlation | molecular weight | pKa' | equilibrium solubility in water at 37°C | see also |
tamoxifen free base | 371.51 g/mol | 8.85 | <0.01% at 20ºC (insoluble in water) | Sigma RX |
4-hydroxytamoxifen (OHT) | 387.51 g/mol | ? | ? | Sigma PubChem |
tamoxifen citrate | 563.62 g/mol | 8.85 | 0.5 mg/mL | Sigma PubChem |
Molecular mechanism of action
Tamoxifen competitively binds to GPCR type and intracellular type estrogen receptors (ER). Binding to the intracellular ER on tumours and other tissue targets produces a nuclear complex that decreases DNA synthesis and inhibits estrogen effects (diagram of estrogen & tamoxifen mechanism). It thus acts as an estrogen antagonists which inhibits the growth of some tumours dependent on estrogen stimulation.
Tamoxifen itself is a prodrug, having relatively little affinity for the estrogen receptor. It is metabolised in the liver by the cytochrome P450 to active metabolites such as 4-hydroxytamoxifen (see figure) and N-desmethyl-4-hydroxytamoxifen.
Activation of ER-fusion proteins
Proteins fused to an estrogen receptor (ER) domain are sequestered by heat shock proteins (hsp). Administration of tamoxifen to an often modified ER with increased affinity for tamoxifen over the natural substrate estrogen, releases the fusion protein. In the case of an enzyme-ER fusion, like CreER, it can than act on its substrate.
Stability & storage
Chemical stability (tamoxifen citrate [1])
- stable for at least 2 years when stored desiccated at 2-8°C in the dark
- hygroscopic at high relative humidities
- sensitive to UV light
Metabolism
- distribution half-life: 7-14 hours
- elimination half-life: 5-7 days (range: 3-21 days)
- elimination half-life of N-desmethyltamoxifen (major metabolite): 9-14 days
(estimates based on limited data probably from humans [2])