MycoRant

Tamoxifen is a drug used to both treat and prevent recurrence of breast cancer. It works by disrupting estrogen, which is known to promote the growth and spread of some forms of breast cancer.  New research from the University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that tamoxifen shows promise as an antifungal agent as well. It has been known for some time that tamoxifen kills fungi in vitro, but the new research shows it is also effective in a mouse model.

According to Damian Krysan, assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center ,“We don’t have vaccines against fungal infections and the few drugs we do have aren’t always effective. We’ve got a lot more work to do to figure out whether tamoxifen could be used in high doses or whether it could be used in combination with other treatments, but we’re excited about the possibility of giving doctors another way to help these critically ill patients.”

Tags: antifungal, cancer, tamoxifen