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Tamoxifen

Meaning

Tamoxifen is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), a non-steroidal medication that acts as an antagonist to the estrogen receptor in some tissues, such as breast cells, and as an agonist in others, like the bone and endometrium. Clinically, it is a cornerstone therapy for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, where it blocks the proliferative effects of estrogen on tumor cells. Its mixed agonist/antagonist profile necessitates careful clinical monitoring for both therapeutic benefit and potential side effects.