[Effects of SERMs on bone health. Raloxifene effects on breast cancer and cardiovascular events]

Abstract

Extra-skeletal targets of SERM include the mammary gland and the cardiovascular system. Although raloxifene is exclusively used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis currently in Japan, large-scale clinical studies have demonstrated that raloxifene is also able to reduce the incidence of invasive breast cancer. As for the effect on cardiovascular events, overall, raloxifene is considered to be neutral. Some data however, indicate that it may increase fatal stroke. This review will summarize the extra-skeletal effects of raloxifene.