Lasofoxifene

G - Genito urinary system and sex hormones

QG - Genito urinary system and sex hormones

Lasofoxifene exhibits both significant estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo, targeting any tissues that possess ERs, such as bone, uterus, breast, blood vessels, and liver. Binding assays demonstrated high affinity of the compound for both ERα and ERβ in a tissue-dependent manner. It mimics the effects of estradiol with varying agonist and antagonist effects.

Lasofoxifene mediates an agonist effect on estrogen receptors expressed on bone to mimic the positive effects of estrogen to reduce the production and lifespan of osteoclasts via altering the NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/RANK/osteoprotegerin system, stimulation of osteoblast (the bone forming cells) activity and additional effects on calcium homeostasis. It acts as an antagonist at uterus and mammary glands by suppressing the estrogen signaling in oncogenic pathways and inhibits the downstream gene transcription. A study also suggests that lasofoxifene may also act as an inverse agonist at CB2 cannabinoid receptor which is expressed in bone to inhibit osteoclast formation and resorptive activity.

Phase I oxidation via hepatic CYP3A4/CYP3A5 and CYP2D6 accounts for nearly half of total metabolism of lasofoxifene. Phase II conjugation reactions include glucuronidation and sulfation. Its glucuronidation is catalyzed by UGTs that are expressed in both the liver (UGT1A1, UGT1A3, UGT1A6, and UGT1A9) and the intestine (UGT1A8 and UGT1A10). Further metabolites of lasofoxifene detected in plasma are the glucuronide of a hydroxylated metabolite, and the methylated catechols.

Lasofoxifene has known human metabolites that include (2S,3S,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(5R,6S)-6-phenyl-5-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)phenyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl]oxy]oxane-2-carboxylic acid.