Elucidation of the molecular mechanism of action of selective estrogen receptor modulators

The term selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) describes a group of pharmaceuticals that manifest estrogen receptor (ER) agonist activity in some tissues,but opposes estrogen action in others. Although the name describing this class of drugs is new, the concept is not, as compounds exhibiting tissue-selective ER agonist/antagonist properties have been available for nearly 40 years. What is new is the idea that it may be possible to capitalize on the paradoxical activities of SERMs and develop them as target organ-selective ER agonists for the treatment of osteoporosis and other estrogenopathies. This realization has provided the impetus for research in this area, the progress of which is described in this review. (C) 2002 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.