The pharmacology of selective estrogen receptor modulators: past and present

Abstract

For many years, significant research was being conducted on the effects of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on bone. Raloxifene successfully completed clinical trials and is currently prescribed for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Other promising candidate molecules were going through clinical trials. However, in the past 10 years, since the publication of the third edition of this book, very little new information has been presented on the effects of SERMs on bone. Pharmaceutical companies have moved away from developing new antiresorptive drugs for osteoporosis, although some research is continuing on the potential usefulness of SERMs in the treatment of other conditions. Because the third edition contribution on this topic contains useful and still very valid information, much of this chapter represents a slightly edited version of that content.