Antiestrogens are substances that inhibit the effects or the production of estrogens. Estrogens are a group of hormones responsible for the development and maintenance of female sex characteristics. These compounds are critical in the treatment of certain medical conditions and in the realm of medical research, especially in areas concerning reproductive health and oncology.
Antiestrogens work by blocking the production or utilization of estrogens, or by inhibiting their effects. These agents can have a significant impact on cells, especially those that are estrogen receptor (ER) positive. For instance, antiestrogens like tamoxifen can promote an invasive phenotype in ER-positive breast cancer cells when intercellular adhesion is deficient.
Although aromatase inhibitors might sometimes be classified as antiestrogens due to their ability to reduce estrogen production, they are often regarded as a separate class. The term "antiestrogen" is typically reserved for agents that diminish the response to estrogen, rather than those that reduce its production.
Aromatase inhibitors function by decreasing the production of estrogen in the body. They achieve this by targeting and inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which is crucial for the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Their mechanism differs from that of typical antiestrogens which block the estrogen receptors or the effects of estrogen on these receptors.
Antiestrogens are primarily used in the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers. They can also be utilized in fertility treatments and in certain conditions where estrogen production or activity needs to be suppressed.
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