Comparative pharmacodynamic analysis of TAT-59 and tamoxifen in rats bearing DMBA-induced mammary carcinoma

TAT-59 suppressed the growth fo DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats earlier and more strongly than tamoxifen (TAM). After oral administration of the drugs, DP-TAT-59, one of the main metabolites of TAT-59, was found in 10- to 15-fold higher concentrations in both the tumor and blood compared to 4-OH-TAM, an active metabolite of TAM. In a 3-day antiuterotrophic test, every detected metabolite of TAT-59 showed stronger antiestrogenic activity than did TAM. In a competition assay, the affinity of the metabolites for estrogen receptors ranged from that of estradiol to that of TAM. These results suggest that the superior antiestrogenic activity of TAT-59 compared to TAM was either due to its higher penetration into tumor tissue or to the stronger antiestrogenic activity of its metabolites.