Cholesterol metabolism and resistance to tamoxifen

The oncoprotein MUC-1 was shown to upregulate the transcription of genes encoding cholesterol and lipid metabolic enzymes and correlated with a resistance to Tamoxifen (Tam) despite the presence of estrogen receptor a in breast cancer tumors. The importance of this observation is supported by molecular studies on Tam suggesting two additional pharmacological targets involved in cholesterol metabolism. These observations demonstrate the potential importance of cholesterol and lipid metabolism in the pharmacology/therapeutic effects of Tam.