© 2003 by Oxford University Press
© 2003 Oxford University Press
ARTICLE |
Active Tamoxifen Metabolite Plasma Concentrations After Coadministration of Tamoxifen and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Paroxetine
Affiliations of authors: The Breast Cancer Program, Departments of Medicine and Oncology, Lombardi Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC (VS, MDJ, AN, PB, DFH); and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (JMR, AM, PB, ZD, DAF).
Correspondence to: David A. Flockhart, MD, PhD, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1001 West 10th St., Myers Bldg. W7123, Indianapolis, IN 46203 (e-mail: dflockha{at}iupui.edu)
Background: Tamoxifen, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), is converted to 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen and other active metabolites by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are often prescribed to alleviate tamoxifen-associated hot flashes, can inhibit CYPs. In a prospective clinical trial, we tested the effects of coadministration of tamoxifen and the SSRI paroxetine, an inhibitor of CYP2D6, on tamoxifen metabolism. Methods: Tamoxifen and its metabolites were measured in the plasma of 12 women of known CYP2D6 genotype with breast cancer who were taking adjuvant tamoxifen before and after 4 weeks of coadministered paroxetine. We assessed the inhibitory activity of pure tamoxifen metabolites in an estradiol-stimulated MCF7 cell proliferation assay. To determine which CYP isoforms were involved in the metabolism of tamoxifen to specific metabolites, we used CYP isoform-specific inhibitors. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: We separated, purified, and identified the metabolite 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyl-tamoxifen, which we named endoxifen. Plasma concentrations of endoxifen statistically significantly decreased from a mean of 12.4 ng/mL before paroxetine coadministration to 5.5 ng/mL afterward (difference = 6.9 ng/mL, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7 to 11.2 ng/mL) (P = .004). Endoxifen concentrations decreased by 64% (95% CI = 39% to 89%) in women with a wild-type CYP2D6 genotype but by only 24% (95% CI = 23% to 71%) in women with a variant CYP2D6 genotype (P = .03). Endoxifen and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen inhibited estradiol-stimulated MCF7 cell proliferation with equal potency. In vitro, troleandomycin, an inhibitor of CYP3A4, inhibited the demethylation of tamoxifen to N-desmethyl-tamoxifen by 78% (95% CI = 65% to 91%), and quinidine, an inhibitor of CYP2D6, reduced the subsequent hydroxylation of N-desmethyl-tamoxifen to endoxifen by 79% (95% CI = 50% to 108%). Conclusions: Endoxifen is an active tamoxifen metabolite that is generated via CYP3A4-mediated N-demethylation and CYP2D6-mediated hydroxylation. Coadministration of paroxetine decreased the plasma concentration of endoxifen. Our data suggest that CYP2D6 genotype and drug interactions should be considered in women treated with tamoxifen.
Correspondence about this Article
- Re: Active Tamoxifen Metabolite Plasma Concentrations After Coadministration of Tamoxifen and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Paroxetine
- Brooke Ratliff, Eric C. Dietze, Gregory R. Bean, Cassandra Moore, Sam Wanko, and Victoria L. Seewaldt
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 883.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
- Re: Active Tamoxifen Metabolite Plasma Concentrations After Coadministration of Tamoxifen and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Paroxetine
- Riccardo Ponzone, Nicoletta Biglia, and Piero Sismondi
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 883-884.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
- Re: Active Tamoxifen Metabolite Plasma Concentrations After Coadministration of Tamoxifen and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Paroxetine
- Ernst A. Lien, Per M. Ueland, and Per E. Lønning
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 884.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
- RESPONSE: Re: Active Tamoxifen Metabolite Plasma Concentrations After Coadministration of Tamoxifen and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Paroxetine
- Vered Stearns, Michael D. Johnson, James M. Rae, Antonella Novielli, Pankaj Bhargava, Daniel F. Hayes, Zeruesenay Desta, and David A. Flockhart
J Natl Cancer Inst 2004 96: 884-885.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
Editorial about this Article
- A Hot Flash on Tamoxifen Metabolism
- Matthew P. Goetz and Charles L. Loprinzi
J Natl Cancer Inst 2003 95: 1734-1735.[Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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