[Raloxifene: a selective modulator of estrogen receptors]

It has been demonstrated that postmenopausal hypoestrogenia induces numerous complications including osteoporosis and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Oral or transdermal administration of estrogens can reduce these risks, but induces adverse effects. Recently, raloxifene, a new molecule from the benzothiophene family, has been demonstrated to prevent postmenopausal bone loss. It does not induce endometrial stimulation, and recent studies show that it could reduce breast cancer incidence. Its mode of action, consisting of mixed agonist and antagonistic estrogenic actions on different organs and systems, allows to classify it into the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) family. In this review article, we will describe the characteristics of the molecule, its mode of action and the potential indications of its clinical use.