TAM binds with a nanomolar affinity to a microsomal binding site, called the anti-estrogen binding site (AEBS)
[37]. Selective AEBS ligands include the diphenyl methane compounds PBPE (
Figure 5I) and DPPE (tesmilifene,
Figure 5II). AEBS ligands include SERMs, bearing a cationic amino alkyl side chain; estrogens and pure antiestrogens, on the other hand, have no affinity for the AEBS. Oxysterols (e.g., 6-ketocholestanol (
Figure 5III), 7-ketocholestanol (
Figure 5VI), and 7-ketocholesterol (
Figure 5V), as well as unsaturated fatty acids and histamine), have also been characterized as AEBS ligands
[35]. AEBS is found in various tissues, including BC cells, and is independent of ER status. Kedjouar et al. reported that AEBS is a multiproteic complex composed of two cholesterogenic enzymes: 3β-hydroxysterol-Δ8-Δ7-isomerase (EBP/D8D7I) and 3β-hydroxysterol-Δ7-reductase (DHCR7)
[38]. It was later shown that the AEBS carries out cholesterol-5,6-epoxide hydrolase (ChEH) enzymatic activity that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 5,6-epoxycholestan-3β-ol diastereomers (5,6α-EC (
Figure 5VI) and 5,6β-EC (
Figure 5VII) into cholestane-3β,5α,6β-triol (CT) (
Figure 5VIII)
[39][40].
TAM, SERMs, and the selective AEBS ligand PBPE (
Figure 5I) induce the intracellular accumulation of cholesterol precursors, including zymostenol (
Figure 5IX), the substrate of D8D7I, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (
Figure 5X), which is the substrate of DHCR7. AEBS ligands also increase the total sterol levels in the cell
[41]. Interestingly, accumulated cholesterol precursors undergo oxidation toward unidentified oxysterols. Since AEBS also carries out ChEH activity, the intracellular accumulation of 5,6-EC and the diminution of CT (
Figure 5VIII) have thus been described, on BC cells, as being exposed to AEBS ligands. In addition, CT is metabolized by 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2 into oncosterone (
Figure 5XII), an oncometabolite that promotes BC development
[42]. Consequently, targeting ChEH with AEBS ligands inhibits both the production of CT and oncosterone in BC cells. It was shown that the inhibition of oncosterone production represents a promising approach for the development of new anticancer agents
[42][43][44].
3. Acquired Resistance to Tamoxifen
Unfortunately, within a few years, almost all responsive patients eventually develop acquired resistance
[45]. The development of resistance to the effects of drugs remains a major obstacle in hormonal therapy with TAM. Resistance to the effects of TAM might be the result of various mechanisms that might be linked to high levels, losses, or alterations in the ER. A total of 30% of ER-positive tumors acquire resistance to TAM
[46]. Compared to their more treatment-resistant HER2-positive counterparts, ER-negative and -positive patients responded well to treatment with TAM, regardless of their progesterone status
[47]. Additionally, the ER can be active in cell membranes. When bound to estrogen or SERMs, it could trigger cellular proliferation, where TAM acts as an agonist
[48][49]. An example of a mechanism underlying resistance is the intricate interaction of surface receptors, especially G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs)
[50]. It has been demonstrated that G-protein-coupled estrogen receptors (GPERs) mediate multiple estrogenic signals in various types of malignant cells
[51] and respond to estrogen via the up-regulation of aromatase (also called estrogen synthetase or estrogen synthase, CYP19A1), the adrenal enzyme that converts androstenedione and estrone to estrogen (T)
[52]. More particularly, GPR30 was detected in nearly 62% of invasive tumors and was co-expressed with the ER in about 43% of BC cases. Furthermore, the expression of GPR30 is inversely correlated with the expression of ER
[53] and also attenuates the inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases), thereby contributing to resistance to TAM in BC
[54][55]. Resistance to TAM might also take place through growth factors, survival factors, and chemokines, which support tumorigenesis. Such signaling, which includes HER-2/neu, TGFβ, Notch, and the insulin-like growth factor receptor, demonstrates multiple pathophysiological functions associated with oncogenic kinase signal transduction pathways, such as the phosphatidylinositol3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) and the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK axis
[48][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64].
In breast cancer cells, TAM up-regulates mRNA for transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β2) with no correlation with the status of αER and PR
[57]. TGF-β2 is a secreted protein known as a cytokine that can be involved in various cellular functions. Specifically, in BC, TAM inhibits the TGF-β-mediated activation of breast fibroblasts. TAM blocks non-SMAD signaling through ERK1/2 MAP-kinase and the transcription factor FRA2
[64]. Therefore, TAM might provide therapeutic benefits by inhibiting the differentiation of myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts are involved in promoting the growth and invasiveness of tumors
[65]. However, the differentiation and activation of myofibroblasts have been observed in other cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, where they contribute to the prevention of the development of tumors; thus, the antimyofibroblast effect of TAM might cause chemoresistance in BC
[66]. Moreover, TGFβ might also promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell invasiveness, depending on the cell context, growth factor environment, and stage of BC
[67]. The delineation of the other molecular aspects associated with resistance to the therapeutic effects of TAM includes impaired metabolism, especially by CYP2D6
[68]. Certain CYP2D6 variants were reported to diminish clinical outcomes in patients treated with TAM
[69][70].
The effect of TAM on metabolism involving glucose is another important mediator in the resistance of cancer cells to TAM. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) plays a role in increasing autophagy and in acquiring resistance to TAM in BC cells
[71]. In fact, the overexpression of GLUT1 has been observed in aggressive breast cancer and is correlated with a poor prognosis for BC patients
[72]. During the development of resistance of BC cells to TAM, the activation of protein kinase B, also known as AKT kinase, and the decreased levels of AMPK lead to the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α). AKT is the collective name for a set of three serine/threonine-specific protein kinases that are involved in various processes in cells, including glucose metabolism, apoptosis, proliferation, transcription, and the migration of cells. The development of resistance to TAM was found to be driven by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha HIF-1α, making the AKT and AMPK pathways good targets for overcoming resistance to TAM
[73]. (HIF-1α) regulates the responses of cells to oxygen concentration, supporting the adaptation of tumor cells to hypoxia in the oxygen-deficient microenvironment of rapidly growing tumors. Thus, HIF-1α is important in carcinogenesis and progression tumors. HIF-1α is associated with a poor prognosis in BC patients
[74].
TAM accumulates in the mitochondria and can affect multiple mitochondrial functions. TAM inhibits oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid oxidation by binding to the Flavin mononucleotide molecule of complex-I, thus resulting in mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction
[75]. Cells resistant to TAM are characterized by greater glycolysis and exhibit increased AMPK phosphorylation and the activation of mitochondrial protein deacetylase, which is known as Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)
[76][77].
TAM might behave as an estrogen agonist in BC cells that express greater amounts of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a protein that promotes the growth of cancer cells, resulting in de novo resistance
[78]. TAM might bind and activate ERα36—a variant of ERα in BC stem cells that is associated with poor prognoses—in order to enhance the stemness and metastasis of BC cells via the transcriptional stimulation of the protein-coding gene Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member A1 (ALDH1A1)
[79]. In a more recent report, it was reported that oncogenic p21-activated kinase-1 (PAK1) might also reload resistance to TAM by phosphorylating ERα and other substrates in ER-positive BC patients
[80]. Alternative mechanisms of resistance to TAM might also be due to the activation of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). IL1β is also known as leukocytic pyrogen, leukocytic endogenous mediator, mononuclear cell factor, and lymphocyte activating factor. Resistance to TAM might also be caused by mechanisms involving tumor necrosis factor and alpha (TNFα), which are associated with Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (NF-κB)
[81].
BC inhibition might be mediated by nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor-2 (Nrf2), which is a member of the cap ‘n’ collar (CNC) subfamily of the basic region leucine zipper (bZip) transcription factor. This acts as the master regulator controlling the expression of antioxidant genes that regulate physiological and pathophysiological events following exposure to oxidants. Under oxidative stress, the complex Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which is a subunit of CULLIN 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase, and Nrf2 dissociates, and Nrf2 is then translocated into the nucleus where it heterodimerizes with the small musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma proteins (MAF), which are basic region leucine zipper-type transcription factors that can bind to DNA and regulate gene regulation by binding to the antioxidant-responsive element (ARE) and stimulating the gene expression of antioxidants and detoxification enzymes. Consequently, the knockdown of Nrf2 increases TAM-induced cell death in TAM-resistant cells
[82][83][84][85][86]. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short non-coding RNAs commonly involved in treatment regimens, were shown to play a pivotal role as regulators of various biological processes, such as the therapeutic targets involved in ERα regulation
[85]. The mechanisms of resistance have been correlated with a change in the expression of miRNA, as well as the remodeling of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is involved in the formation of tumors
[86]. The expression of miR-221 and miR-222, encoded in tandem on the X chromosome, has been found to be elevated two-fold in endocrine-therapy-resistant HER2/neu-positive primary human BC tissues
[87][88]. Although TAM is involved in the regulation of microRNAs, miR-221/222 has been found to confer resistance to TAM in BC by reducing the expression of the cell cycle regulator p27/kip1
[89].
Another possible contributor to the resistance is the microsomal antiestrogen binding site (AEBS). The ligands of the AEBS do not bind to ERs, but bind selective ER modulators (SERMs). AEBS ligands contain a hydrophobic core that mimics the steroid backbone of estrogens. The antitumor properties of AEBS ligands and their relationship with cholesterol metabolism perturbations have been discussed previously. AEBS ligands, including tesmilifene (
Figure 5II) and PBPE (
Figure 5I), display antitumor properties through their impact on cholesterol metabolism. Indeed, AEBS ligands, including SERMs, induce the redifferentiation of BC cells into lactating epithelial cells, which is characterized by a cell cycle arrest in the G0-G1 phase, morphological modifications of triglycerides, and the secretion of milk proteins
[42][90][91].
TAM and
N-pyrrolidino- (phenylmethyphenoxy)-ethanamine,HCl) (PBPE) trigger intracellular formation and the accumulation of 5,6α-EC and 5,6β-EC in BC cells through both the induction of oxidative stress and the inhibition of ChEH. In addition, 5,6α-EC is transformed into CES (
Figure 5XI) in MCF-7 cells that express SULT2B1b but not in MDA-MB-231 cells that do not express SULT2B1b. Both 5,6α-EC and CES are involved in triglyceride accumulation (a characteristic of BC cell differentiation) and in cell death through an LXRβ-dependent mechanism. It is noteworthy that both 5,6α-EC and CES have been previously reported to be LXRβ modulators
[44][92]. Furthermore, 5,6β-EC also participates in cell death induction through an LXRβ-independent mechanism. In contrast to sensitive MCF7 cells, MDA-MB-231 is resistant to the TAM inhibition of E2 mitogenic activity. Importantly, the ectopic expression of SULT2B1b in MDA-MB-231 cells increases the sensitivities of these cells with respect to the cytotoxic activity of TAM and the selective AEBS ligand, PBPE. In addition, MDA-MB-231 cells are as sensitive as MCF7 to the cytotoxic activity of CES (
Figure 5XXI).
Altogether, TAM’s impact on cholesterol metabolism via the AEBS/ChEH/Sult2B1b/LXRβ pathway is a key mediator of the sensitivity and resistance of BC. The roles of several metabolites (5,6-EC, CES, and oncosterone), related enzymes (D8D7I, DHCR7, SULT2B1b, and 11β-HSD2), oxidative stress/antioxidant defenses (NRF2, SOD, Catalase, NADPH, and GSH), and nuclear receptors (LXR) deserve to be considered for the purposes of a better understanding of the intrinsic and acquired mechanism of resistance against TAM. The relationship between the ER status of BC and these metabolic pathways also remains unanswered. These events might convert ER-dependent BCs to hormone-independent human BC cells and thus lead to resistance to TAM.
4. Side Effects of Tamoxifen
The hormonal treatment of breast cancer is a procedure that drastically affects a patient’s quality of life. Due to complex drug regimens that are conducted in order to treat comorbidity conditions, older patients are more prone to adjuvant hormone intolerance
[93]. Statistically, the tolerance toward hormone therapy among older BC patients ranges between 41% and 72%
[94]. During greater doses of TAM, reactive oxidative species (ROS) are produced, which can have deleterious effects in not only BC cells, but also healthy cells. As a result, the release of ROS might lead to unintentional adverse effects under long-term therapy, including high toxicity and genotoxicity
[24]. TAM induces a myriad of side effects, which include endometrial hyperplasia, polyps, fibrosis, cystic atrophy, and uterine sarcoma
[95][96]. In a clinical study conducted on 204 patients aged between 27 and 84, after a 5-year period of TAM treatment, thromboembolic and uterine cancer mortality were only observed in women older than 55
[23]. In another random-effect meta-analysis report involving 53,000 women, the risk of endometrial cancer and of vascular and thrombotic events appeared to be less in premenopausal women
[97]. Consequently, TAM did not increase the risk of endometrial cancer in premenopausal patients
[98].
Patients might also experience cognitive disturbances known as TAM brain fog, which can result in effects such as decision-making impairment and the deterioration of executive functions
[99][100], as well as depression
[101]. Other complications encompass arthralgia, chills, night sweats, irregular heartbeat, insomnia, and hot flashes
[102][103][104][105][106][107]. The long-term use of TAM might cause steatogenic hepatotoxicity in mice
[108] and rats. In addition, TAM induced a liver iron overload, with unaltered hepatic function, in non-diabetic rats and might be a useful tool for investigating the biological control of iron metabolism
[109]. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) rates TAM as being carcinogenic in experimental animals
[110]. In a cross-sectional study of 32 women who were given TAM compared to 39 control women, TAM was reported to increase steatosis and adipose tissue distribution through its anti-estrogenic effect
[111]. Massive hepatic steatosis in premenopausal women was also observed
[112], suggesting that functional polymorphism in CYP17 is associated with circulating estrogen levels and is involved in basal hepatic lipid metabolism. An unsuitable effect of TAM on lipid metabolism includes hypertriglyceridemia
[113][114], as well as severe acute pancreatitis in a dose-dependent manner
[115]. Treatment with TAM was also correlated with clinical manifestations in the form of abnormal spotting or bleeding
[96]. Other complications include congestion and sexual dysfunction
[116]. In addition, gastrointestinal cancers
[117] were also mentioned.