Safety assessment of tamoxifen and toremifene
Williams, G.M.; Jeffrey, A.M.
Oncology 11(5 Suppl 4: 41-47
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0890-9091 PMID: 9165506 Document Number: 473160
Nonclinical and clinical safety studies on the two antiestrogens, tamoxifen (Nolvadex) and toremifene (Fareston), are reviewed. Tamoxifen is genotoxic, carcinogenic in experimental animals, and carcinogenic in humans. Toremifene has yielded some positive findings for genotoxicity, but was not an initiating carcinogen in experimental animals. Thus, toremifene has a superior nonclinical safety profile, although information on its long-term effects in humans is needed to ascertain whether its use results in improved safety.