Potent Antiestrogenic Activity Research Articles

THE APPLICATION OF BIOANALYTICAL METHOD OF TAMOXIFEN AND ITS ACTIVE METABOLITES FOR THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS: A REVIEW

Breast cancer is the most common cancer around the world and in Indonesia. The most widely used agent for breast cancer treatment is tamoxifen, with a fixed dose of 20 mg per day. Tamoxifen is metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and 2D6 (CYP2D6) to endoxifen and 4-hydroxytamoxifen, which have 30-to 100-fold more potent antiestrogenic activity than tamoxifen. High variations of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 genes can lead to interpatient variability in its metabolites concentration. The dose can be increased to 40 or 60 mg per day based on individual needs. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is required to measure the concentration of tamoxifen and its metabolites to decide the individualized dose. The measurement of drug levels should use a sensitive, selective, accurate, precise, and reliable bioanalytical method. Various bioanalytical methods have been developed in several matrices: urine, scalp hair, serum, plasma, dried blood spot (DBS), and volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) samples, with different sample preparations, and frequently using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The bioanalytical method of tamoxifen and its metabolites in the DBS sample was more suitable in the TDM application due to the low invasive sampling technique, more stable sample, and rapid sample preparation. Therefore, it is more time-and cost-efficient than the other methods.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Chalconesulfonamides: En Route to Proapoptotic Agents with Antiestrogenic Potency.

Breast and other estrogen receptor α-positive cancers tend to develop resistance to existing drugs. Chalcone derivatives possess anticancer activity based on their ability to form covalent bonds with targets acting as Michael acceptors. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer properties of a series of chalcones (7a-l) with a sulfonamide group attached to the vinyl ketone moiety. Chalconesulfonamides showed a potent antiproliferative effect at low micromolar concentrations against several cancer cell lines, including ERα-positive 4-hydroxytamoxifen-resistant MCF7/HT2. Immunoblotting of samples treated with the lead compound 7e revealed its potent antiestrogenic activity (ERα/GREB1 axis) and induction of PARP cleavage (an apoptosis marker) in breast cancer cells. The obtained compounds represent a promising basis for further development of targeted drugs blocking hormone pathways in cancer cells.

Challenging Approach to the Development of Novel Estrogen Receptor Modulators Based on the Chemical Properties of Guaiazulene.

Tamoxifen, a therapeutic agent for breast cancer, has been associated with genetic polymorphisms in the metabolism of N,N-dialkylaminoethyl substituent, which plays an important role in the expression of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) activity. To solve this problem, we developed a novel estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, Az-01, on the basis of the aromaticity, dipole moment, and isopropyl group of guaiazulene. Az-01 showed four-fold lower binding affinity for ER than E2 but had similar ER-binding affinity to that of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-HOtam). Unlike tamoxifen, Az-01 acted as a partial agonist with very weak estrogenic activity at high concentrations when used alone, and it showed potent anti-estrogenic activity in the presence of E2. The cell proliferation and inhibition activities of Az-01 were specific to ER-expressing MCF-7 cells, and no effect of Az-01 on other cell proliferation signals was observed. These findings are important for the development of new types of SERMs without the N,N-dialkylaminoethyl substituent as a privileged functional group for SERMs.

Abstract 4933: Six-month oral toxicity study of endoxifen in rats

Abstract The tamoxifen metabolite, endoxifen (N-desmethyl-4-hydroxytamoxifen), is being developed for oral and local topical administration for prevention and therapy of breast cancer. As part of this development, the toxicity of oral endoxifen was evaluated in a chronic (six-month) study in rats. Groups of 25 female CD rats received daily oral (gavage) exposure to endoxifen at doses of 0 (vehicle control), 5, or 50 mg/kg/day for six months. In vivo assessments included survival; clinical and physical signs of toxicity; body weight; food consumption; ophthalmology; and clinical pathology (clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation). Fifteen rats per group were euthanized and necropsied after six months of endoxifen exposure; remaining rats in each group were euthanized and necropsied after a four-week recovery period. All gross lesions and approximately 45 tissues per animal were evaluated microscopically. In addition, bone marrow smears collected from rats euthanized for the six month necropsy were evaluated for DNA damage (micronucleus assessment). Daily oral administration of endoxifen at 5 or 50 mg/kg/day for six months induced no treatment-related mortality, clinical evidence of toxicity, or effects on ophthalmology. Endoxifen was not genotoxic, as it had no effect on the incidence of bone marrow micronuclei. Both dose levels of endoxifen induced similar suppressions of body weight gain; food consumption was also significantly decreased in both endoxifen-treated groups. Both dose levels of endoxifen induced gross and microscopic changes in hormone-sensitive tissues. Gross pathology was identified at necropsy in the ovary (cysts) and uterus (small) in both endoxifen groups; mean relative ovarian weight was increased and mean relative uterine weight was decreased in endoxifen groups. Microscopic findings were identified in the ovaries (corpora lutea depletion, cysts), uterus (atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia), cervix (mucinous hypertrophy), mammary gland (hyperplasia), and pituitary gland (vacuolation). These changes are consistent with the activity of endoxifen as an endocrine disruptor, and suggest effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. After six months of daily oral administration, both dose levels of endoxifen induced significant reductions in body weight gain and food consumption; alterations in the weights of hormone-sensitive organs; and gross and microscopic effects, primarily in hormone-sensitive tissues. Most of the effects of endoxifen observed in this study can be ascribed to its potent antiestrogenic activity, and are interpreted as signs of its pharmacologic action. However, the gross and microscopic changes seen at both dose levels of endoxifen used in this study demonstrate that a No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level (NO[A]EL) for daily oral administration of endoxifen to female rats for six months could not be determined. [Supported by HHSN261201500024I from the NCI, DHHS.] Citation Format: Thomas L. Horn, William D. Johnson, Carol J. Detrisac, Patrick T. Curry, Elizabeth R. Glaze, David L. McCormick. Six-month oral toxicity study of endoxifen in rats [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4933.

Structure–activity relationship study of diphenylamine-based estrogen receptor (ER) antagonists

We have reported the design and synthesis of novel estrogen receptor (ER) agonists with a diphenylamine skeleton, which has several advantages over the formerly used diphenylmethane skeleton for drug development. Here, we confirmed the versatility of the diphenylamine skeleton by designing and synthesizing ER antagonist candidates bearing a basic alkylamino side chain on one of the two phenol groups of the diphenylamine agonist core structure. Among the tested compounds, cyclic alkylamine-containing derivatives showed more potent ER-antagonistic activity than the corresponding acyclic derivatives in cell proliferation assay using the MCF-7 cell line. Compound 5e showed the most potent antiestrogenic activity (IC50: 1.3×10−7M), being 10times more potent than tamoxifen.

Concurrent treatment with tamoxifen and CYP2D6 inibitors: clinical significance of drug interactions

Tamoxifen is used in the treatment of women with endocrine responsive breast cancer. It is a prodrug, which is metabolized by liver cytochrome P450 system (CYP) into metabolites with a potent anti-estrogenic activity; CYP2D6 is one of the most important enzymes involved in this metabolic pathway. Low or absent activity of CYP2D6, which can be inherited and/or can occur due to the use of CYP2D6 inhibitors, may impair outcome in women with tamoxifentreated breast cancer. Antidepressants, which can also inhibit CYP2D6, are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in women with breast cancer. Breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen should not be co-prescribed antidepressants or any other drugs, which are potent inhibitors of CYP2D6.

Abstract B66: Characterization of bis-phenazine compounds that inhibit estrogen signaling through direct interaction with estrogen response elements

Abstract Hormone therapies interfere with estrogen signaling by targeting Estrogen Receptors (ERs) and are routinely used for the prevention and treatment of ER-expressing breast cancers. However, current therapies have significant limitations related to inherent or acquired resistance. Thus, there is a need to develop therapeutic compounds that do not depend on competitive binding to the ER or on depleting cells of endogenous estrogen. Previous data suggested that certain bis-phenazines, such as our lead compound XR5944, possess potent antiestrogenic properties through a novel mechanism of action: they inhibit gene transcription via direct intercalation with DNA at estrogen response elements (EREs) which are located in estrogen-responsive gene promoters. While these studies have demonstrated the potent antiestrogenic activity of XR5944, they have also demonstrated its capacity to bind to alternative DNA motifs. In order to improve upon ERE target specificity, we have identified XR5944 derivatives that retain potent antiestrogenic properties but may have greater specificity for ERE sequences, to be developed as new therapies for the treatment of estrogen-driven cancers. Such compounds may also be effective in overcoming resistance to current antiestrogen therapies. Here, we characterize DNA sequence interactions and transcriptional effects of five XR5944 derivatives that differ from the parent compound in the composition of their linker chains (compounds 26357 and 26373), cyclic side rings (26576), or both (26536 and 27402). We utilized 1D 1H NMR titration experiments to monitor compound:DNA binding properties to a canonical ERE (AGGTCAcggTGACCT) containing a CGG trinucleotide spacer (ERECGG), electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) to assess the ability of the derivatives to disrupt ER:ERECGG interactions, and luciferase reporter assays to evaluate their potency in blocking estrogen-dependent transactivation through ERECGG. Our NMR results indicated that alteration of either linker chain or side ring structures of XR5944 reduced the affinity and specificity of compound:ERECGG interactions. These findings correlated with the ability of the compounds to inhibit ER:ERECGG binding in the order of XR5944>26576>26536>26373>26357>27402, as evaluated by EMSA. To further determine the effects of the compounds on ERECGG-driven transactivation, we performed luciferase reporter assays utilizing ERα-expressing MCF-7 breast cancer cells transfected with an ERECGG-luciferase reporter construct. Unlike the EMSA results, there was not a strict concordance between the compound-dependent potency in inhibiting estrogen-driven transcriptional responses and the specificity of interaction with DNA as determined by NMR. Specifically, inhibition of reporter activity was more potent with compounds that had the same cyclic side rings but altered linker chains as XR5944 (26373 and 26357) and was less effective with compounds possessing altered side rings (26576, 26536, and 27402). Together, our findings indicate that the cyclic side chain structures appear to be the most important components of bis-phenazines in disrupting the transcriptional potential of ER:ERE interactions. NMR can be useful for predicting the relative potency of XR5944 derivatives in blocking ER binding to EREs in vitro, but fails to predict their efficacy in inhibiting ERE-mediated transactivation. This information should prove valuable for the rational drug design of new antiestrogenic compounds with improved specificity for ERE sequences. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr B66.

Nuclear Hormone Receptor Activity of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Their Hydroxylated and Methoxylated Metabolites in Transactivation Assays Using Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

BackgroundAn increasing number of studies are reporting the existence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated (HO) and methoxylated (MeO) metabolites in the environment and in tissues from wildlife and humans.ObjectiveOur aim was to characterize and compare the agonistic and antagonistic activities of principle PBDE congeners and their HO and MeO metabolites against human nuclear hormone receptors.MethodsWe tested the hormone receptor activities of estrogen receptor α (ERα), ERβ, androgen receptor (AR), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), thyroid hormone receptor α1 (TRα1), and TRβ1 against PBDE congeners BDEs 15, 28, 47, 85, 99, 100, 153, and 209, four para-HO-PBDEs, and four para-MeO-PBDEs by highly sensitive reporter gene assays using Chinese hamster ovary cells.ResultsOf the 16 compounds tested, 6 and 2 showed agonistic activities in the ERα and ERβ assays, respectively, and 6 and 6 showed antagonistic activities in these assays. 4′-HO-BDE-17 showed the most potent estrogenic activity via ERα/β, and 4′-HO-BDE-49 showed the most potent anti estrogenic activity via ERα/β. In the AR assay, 13 compounds showed antagonistic activity, with 4′-HO-BDE-17 in particular inhibiting AR-mediated transcriptional activity at low concentrations in the order of 10−8 M. In the GR assay, seven compounds, including two HO-PBDEs and two MeO-PBDEs, showed weak antagonistic activity. In the TRα1 and TRβ1 assays, only 4-HO-BDE-90 showed weak antagonistic activity.ConclusionsTaken together, these results suggest that PBDEs and their metabolites might have multiple endocrine-disrupting effects via nuclear hormone receptors, and para-HO-PBDEs, in particular, possess more potent receptor activities compared with those of the parent PBDEs and corresponding para-MeO-PBDEs.

Effects of 17β-estradiol, 4-nonylphenol and PCB 126 on the estrogenic activity and phase 1 and 2 biotransformation enzymes in male sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax)

The endocrine system of wildlife is exposed to a wide variety of natural and man-made chemicals which may lead to damage to the reproductive system and other adverse effects, including alteration of drug-metabolizing enzymes. In the present study, the effects of in vivo exposure to a natural (17β-estradiol: E2) or a xenoestrogen (4-nonylphenol: NP) estrogen or an anti-estrogen (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl: PCB 126) upon vitellogenin (VTG) synthesis and hepatic phase 1 and 2 enzymes have been investigated in adult male sea bass. By means of ELISA analysis with the use of polyclonal antibodies prepared against VTG purified from E2-treated sea bass, we assessed the time course and sensitivity of VTG induction in the plasma of sea bass treated with E2 at 0.1, 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/kg doses or NP at 5.0 or 50 mg/kg doses, respectively. Sea bass sensitivity to this induction was found to be similar to that of other fish species, but with a delay in maximal response. E2 treatment also caused a selective time- and dose-dependent inhibition of hepatic CYP1A-linked EROD and phase 2 glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, without affecting the activity of CYP3A-linked 6β-testosterone hydroxylase, (ω)- and (ω-1)-lauric acid hydroxylases or phase 2 DT-diaphorase. A similar selective inhibition on CYP1A was also observed in fish treated with 50 mg/kg NP. The results regarding CYP1A and CYP3A were also confirmed by Western blot analysis. When the sea bass were treated with either 10 or 100 μg/kg PCB 126, an AhR ligand not yet tested in vivo in fish to assess its anti-estrogenicity, a modest and selective induction of EROD and DT-diaphorase activities was observed. Interestingly, both these activities were recovered to their control levels in sea bass co-treated with 0.5 mg/kg E2 and 10 or 100 μg/kg PCB 126, probably through a cross-talk mechanism between the estrogen receptor and AhR or other transcription factors that regulate the expression of these enzymes. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that PCB 126 possesses a potent anti-estrogenic activity in the sea bass in vivo as it inhibited the E2-induced VTG synthesis with an IC50 of 28 μg/kg. The results of this study suggest that the exposure of fish to xenoestrogens or anti-estrogens may alter, in addition to various physiological processes, the expression of specific CYPs and phase 2 enzymes, thereby reducing the capability of their detoxication system.

Flavonoid Phytochemicals Regulate Activator Protein-1 Signal Transduction Pathways in Endometrial and Kidney Stable Cell Lines

Phytochemicals bind to and regulate the human estrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta), mimicking actions of the endogenous estrogen, 17beta-estradiol, and known antiestrogens such as ICI 182,780. Recently, however, some of these estrogenic phytochemicals have been shown to affect other signal transduction pathways, such as receptor tyrosine kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Previously, we found that certain phytochemicals, such as flavone, apigenin, kaempferide and chalcone, have potent antiestrogenic activity. However, the antiestrogenicity of these compounds does not correlate with their ER binding capacity, suggesting alternative signaling as a mechanism for their antagonistic effects. In this study, we examined the effects of these compounds on the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1). Using AP-1-luciferase stable human endometrial adenocarcinoma Ishikawa and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, chalcone, flavone and apigenin all stimulated AP-1 activity. Additionally, we determined the effects of the phytochemicals on transcription factors that are downstream targets of various MAPK pathways. To test this, we used HEK 293 cells stably cointegrated with GAL4 transcriptional activation systems of Elk-1, c-Jun or C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Chalcone was the only phytochemical that activated all three transcription factors [Elk-1, 2.7-fold (P < 0.001); c-Jun, 2.7-fold (P = 0.025); CHOP, 3.0-fold (P = 0.002)], whereas apigenin stimulated CHOP (3.9-fold; P < 0.001), but inhibited phorbol myristoyl acetate-induced c-Jun activity (71%;P = 0.006). This work suggests that phytochemicals affect multiple signaling pathways that converge at the level of transcriptional regulation. The ability of flavonoids to regulate MAPK-responsive pathways in a selective manner indicates a mechanism by which phytochemicals may influence human health and disease.

DHEA and Its Transformation into Androgens and Estrogens in Peripheral Target Tissues: Intracrinology

A new understanding of the endocrinology of menopause is that women, at menopause, are not only lacking estrogens resulting from cessation of ovarian activity but have also been progressively deprived for a few years of androgens and some estrogens originating from adrenal DHEA and androstenedione (4-dione). In fact, serum DHEA decreases by about 60% between the maximal levels seen at 30 years of age to the age of menopause. This decreased secretion of DHEA and DHEA-S by the adrenals is responsible for a parallel decrease in androgen and estrogen formation in peripheral tissues by the steroidogenic enzymes specifically expressed in each cell type in individual target tissues. This new field of endocrinology, called intracrinology, describes the local synthesis of androgens and estrogens made locally in each cell of each peripheral tissue from the adrenal precursors DHEA and 4-dione. These androgens and estrogens exert their action in the same cells where their synthesis takes place and they are released from these target cells only after being inactivated. To further understand the effect of DHEA in women, DHEA has been administered in postmenopausal women for 12 months. Such treatment resulted in increased bone formation and higher bone mineral density accompanied by elevated levels of osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation. Vaginal maturation was stimulated, while no effect was observed on the endometrium. Preclinical studies, on the other hand, have shown that, due to its predominant conversion into androgens, DHEA prevents the development and inhibits the growth of dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced mammary carcinoma in the rat, a model of breast cancer. DHEA also inhibits the growth of human breast cancer ZR-75-1 xenografts in nude mice. The inhibitory effect of DHEA on breast cancer is due to an androgenic effect of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone made locally from DHEA. When used as replacement therapy, DHEA is free of the potential risk of breast and uterine cancer, while it stimulates bone formation and vaginal maturation and decreases insulin resistance. The combination of DHEA with a fourth generation SERM, such as EM-652 (SCH 57068), a compound having pure and potent antiestrogenic activity in the mammary gland and endometrium, could provide major benefits for women at menopause (inhibition of bone loss and serum cholesterol levels) with the associated major advantages of preventing breast and uterine cancer. A widely used application of intracrinology is the treatment of prostate cancer where the testicles are blocked by an LHRH agonist while the androgens made locally in the prostate from DHEA are blocked by a pure antiandrogen. Such treatment, called combined androgen blockade, has led to the first demonstration of a prolongation of life in prostate cancer.

Morphological changes induced by 6-month treatment of intact and ovariectomized mice with tamoxifen and the pure antiestrogen EM-800.

The present study compares the effects of tamoxifen and EM-800, both administered at the oral daily dose of 100 microg for 6 months, on the uterus, vagina, and mammary gland in the mouse at histopathological examination. Treatment of intact animals with EM-800 resulted in uterine and vaginal atrophy even greater than that achieved after ovariectomy, while the developmental growth of the mammary gland was completely blocked and serum LH was increased. In ovariectomized animals, treatment with EM-800 decreased uterine and vaginal wt below the values observed in control ovariectomized mice while no significant change was observed on serum LH, thus indicating the lack of estrogenic activity of EM-800. Tamoxifen, on the other hand, showed a stimulatory estrogenic-like action on the mouse uterus in both intact and ovariectomized animals, thus resulting in moderate to severe endometrial hyperplasia. These morphological changes were accompanied by a marked stimulation of both the estrogenic and androgenic 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as well as 5alpha-reductase uterine activities. The histological atrophic changes observed in the vagina after tamoxifen treatment were less pronounced than those seen after treatment with EM-800. The agonistic estrogen-like action of tamoxifen was also illustrated by the suppression of serum LH levels in ovariectomized animals. A marked stimulation of the ovarian stroma, accompanied by a significant reduction in folliculogenic activity, was observed after EM-800 or tamoxifen administration, although the interstitial ovarian hyperplasia was more pronounced after EM-800 treatment. While both antiestrogens blocked the developmental growth of the mammary gland, EM-800 showed more potent antiestrogenic activity than tamoxifen. The highly potent and specific antiestrogenic activity of EM-800 suggests that this compound could improve the therapy of breast cancer while avoiding the undesirable stimulation of the endometrium.

Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and 17 beta-estradiol on estrogen receptor regulation in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exhibits remarkably potent antiestrogenic activity. To further elucidate the role of estrogen receptor (ER) regulation in this response, we examined the effects of exposure to TCDD in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells on ER mRNA levels by using an RNase protection assay, on ER accumulation by using an ER immunocytochemical essay (ER-ICA), and on ER function by competitive binding assays under conditions of saturating 17 beta-estradiol (E2). Comparative studies were conducted with E2 and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), as both compounds are known to suppress ER expression. Our results indicate that 1 nM E2 and 100 nM TPA both suppress ER mRNA levels as early as 4 h after exposure and to 33.6% and 16.5% of control levels, respectively, after 72 h. In contrast, no significant effect on ER mRNA levels was attributed to exposure to 10 nM TCDD. A greater than 50% reduction in positive staining was observed by ER-ICA after 72 h exposure to 1 nM E2 and to 100 nM TPA, while only an 11% reduction in positive staining was observed with 10 nM TCDD. Specific binding of [3H]E2 under saturating conditions (10 nM E2) in whole cells was reduced by 50% in cultures exposed to 100 nM TPA, although no effect on binding was observed with exposure to 10 nM TCDD. In contrast, specific binding using subsaturating 1 nM [3H]E2 was depressed by 49% in MCF-7 cells exposed to 10 nM TCDD for 72 h. This depression was inhibited by a 1-h treatment with 5 microM alpha-naphthoflavone, which inhibits TCDD-induced, P450-mediated, E2 metabolism, and subsequent E2 depletion. In conclusion, while TPA and E2 effectively down-regulate ER expression, TCDD, under antiestrogenic conditions, has little if any effect on total ER levels in MCF-7 cells, and thus ER modulation is probably not necessary for the suppression of estrogenic activity in MCF-7 cells by TCDD.

Synthesis and antiestrogenic activity of [3,4-dihydro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-naphthalenyl][4-[2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy]-phenyl]methanone, methanesulfonic acid salt.

Acylation of the sodio anion of beta-tetralone with phenyl anisoate, followed by a Grignard reaction of the resultant 4 with 4-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide, gave rise to two novel dihydronaphthalene isomers 5 and 6. Regioselective demethylation of either 5 or 6 by NaSEt produced [3,4-dihydro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-naphthalenyl](4-hydroxyphenyl)methanone (7). Etherification of the phenolic group of 7 by N-(2-chloroethyl)pyrrolidine and subsequent methanesulfonate salt formation provided [3,4-dihydro-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-maphthalenyl]]4-]2-(1-pyrrolidinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]methanone, methane sulfonic acid salt (3). Potent antiestrogenic activity of 3 was demonstrated by both oral and subcutaneous administration to rats and mice. In vitro binding studies with rat uterine cytosol estrogen receptors indicate compound 3 has a very high binding affinity which exceeds that of estradiol.