Antifungal activity of tamoxifen: in vitro and in vivo activities and mechanistic characterization.

ABSTRACT: Tamoxifen (TAM), an estrogen receptor antagonist used primarily to treat breast cancer, has well-recognized antifungal properties, but the activity of TAM has not been fully characterized using standardized (i.e., CLSI) in vitro susceptibility testing, nor has it been demonstrated in an in vivo model of fungal infection. In addition, its mechanism of action remains to be clearly defined at the molecular level. Here, we report that TAM displays in vitro activity (MIC, 8 to 64 microg/ml) against pathogenic yeasts (Candida albicans, other Candida spp., and Cryptococcus neoformans). In vivo, 200 mg/kg of body weight per day TAM reduced kidney fungal burden (-1.5 log(10) CFU per g tissue; P = 0.008) in a murine model of disseminated candidiasis. TAM is a known inhibitor of mammalian calmodulin,

SUBMITTER: Dolan K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2715577 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature