Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Tibolone and Breast Tissue: a Review

  • General Gynecology: Review
  • Published:
Reproductive Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The safety profile of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on breast is still controversial. Tibolone is an option of treatment for climacteric syndrome of postmenopausal women. Its risk profile on breast is debated. This is an updated narrative review focusing on the impact of tibolone on breast. Particularly, we will report data from major preclinical and clinical studies regarding the effects of the use of this compound on breast tissue and breast density. Moreover, we will analyze and discuss the most relevant findings of the principal studies evaluating the relationship between tibolone and breast cancer risk. Our purpose is making all clinicians who are particularly involved in women’s health more aware of the effects of this compound on breast and, thus, more experienced in the management of menopausal symptoms with this drug. According to the available literature, tibolone seems to be characterized by an interesting safety profile on breast tissue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Not applicable.

Code Availability

Not applicable.

References

  1. Rossouw JE, Anderson GL, Prentice RL, AZ LC, Kooperberg C, Stefanick ML, Jackson RD, Beresford SA, Howard BV, Johnson KC, Kotchen JM, Ockene J, Writing Group for the Women’s Health Initiative Investigators.; Writing Group for the Women’s Health Initiative Investigators. Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: principal results from the Women’s Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2002;288(3):321–33. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.288.3.321.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. The NAMS. The 2017 hormone therapy position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2017;24(7):728–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kloosterboer HJ. Tissue-selective effects of tibolone on the breast. Maturitas. 2004;49(1):S5–S15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2004.06.022.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kloosterboer HJ, Schoonen WG, Deckers GH, Klijn JG. Effects of progestagens and Org OD14 in in vitro and in vivo tumor models. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1994;49(4-6):311–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/0960-0760(94)90273-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Gompel A, Chaouat M, Jacob D, Perrot JY, Kloosterboer HJ, Rostene W. In vitro studies of tibolone in breast cells. Fertil Steril. 2002;78(2):351–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(02)03203-x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Pasqualini JR, Chetrite GS. Estrone sulfatase versus estrone sulfotransferase in human breast cancer: potential clinical applications. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1999;69(1-6):287–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-0760(99)00082-5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. de Gooyer ME, Kleyn GT, Smits KC, Ederveen AG, Verheul HA, Kloosterboer HJ. Tibolone: a compound with tissue specific inhibitory effects on sulfatase. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2001;183(1-2):55–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0303-7207(01)00606-2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kandouz M, Lombet A, Perrot JY, Jacob D, Carvajal S, Kazem A, Rostene W, Therwath A, Gompel A. Proapoptotic effects of antiestrogens, progestins and androgen in breast cancer cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1999;69(1-6):463–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-0760(99)00069-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Chetrite G, Kloosterboer HJ, Pasqualini JR. Effect of tibolone (Org OD14) and its metabolites on estrone sulphatase activity in MCF-7 and T-47D mammary cancer cells. Anticancer Res. 1997;17(1A):135–40.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Biglia N, Maffei S, Lello S, Nappi RE. Tibolone in postmenopausal women: a review based on recent randomised controlled clinical trials. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2010;26(11):804–14. https://doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2010.495437.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kloosterboer HJ. Tibolone: a steroid with a tissue-specific mode of action. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2001;76(1-5):231–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0960-0760(01)00044-9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Cline JM, Register TC, Clarkson TB. Effects of tibolone and hormone replacement therapy on the breast of cynomolgus monkeys. Menopause. 2002;9(6):422–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/00042192-200211000-00007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Desreux J, Kloosterboer H, Noël A, Frankenne F, Lemaire M, Putman M, Foidart JM. Effects of tibolone on sulfatase pathway of estrogens metabolism and on growth of MCF-7 human breast tumors implanted in ovariectomized nude mice. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2007;63(1):31–8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000094917.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Reed MJ, Kloosterboer HJ. Tibolone: a selective tissue estrogenic activity regulator (STEAR). Maturitas. 2004;48(Suppl 1):S4–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2004.02.013.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. de Gooyer ME, Deckers GH, Schoonen WG, Verheul HA, Kloosterboer HJ. Receptor profiling and endocrine interactions of tibolone. Steroids. 2003;68(1):21–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0039-128x(02)00112-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Wolfe JN. Breast patterns as an index of risk for developing breast cancer. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1976;126(6):1130–7. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.126.6.1130.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Boyd NF. Mammographic density and risk of breast cancer. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2013. https://doi.org/10.1200/EdBook_AM.2013.33.e57.

  18. Tice JA, Bissell MCS, Miglioretti DL, Gard CC, Rauscher GH, Dabbous FM, Kerlikowske K. Validation of the breast cancer surveillance consortium model of breast cancer risk. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2019;175(2):519–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-019-05167-2.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Tyrer J, Duffy SW, Cuzick J. A breast cancer prediction model incorporating familial and personal risk factors. Stat Med. 2004;23(7):1111–30. https://doi.org/10.1002/sim.1668.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. McNicholas MM, Heneghan JP, Milner MH, Tunney T, Hourihane JB, MacErlaine DP. Pain and increased mammographic density in women receiving hormone replacement therapy: a prospective study. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994;163(2):311–5. https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.163.2.8037021.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Leung W, Goldberg F, Zee B, Sterns E. Mammographic density in women on postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. Surgery. 1997;122(4):669–73; discussion 673-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0039-6060(97)90072-6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Rutter CM, Mandelson MT, Laya MB, Seger DJ, Taplin S. Changes in breast density associated with initiation, discontinuation, and continuing use of hormone replacement therapy. JAMA. 2001;285(2):171–6. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.285.2.171.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Freer PE. Mammographic breast density: impact on breast cancer risk and implications for screening. Radiographics. 2015;35(2):302–15. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.352140106.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Fajardo LL, Hillman BJ, Frey C. Correlation between breast parenchymal patterns and mammographers’ certainty of diagnosis. Invest Radiol. 1988;23(7):505–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004424-198807000-00004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Kerlikowske K, Grady D, Barclay J, Frankel SD, Ominsky SH, Sickles EA, Ernster V. Variability and accuracy in mammographic interpretation using the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90(23):1801–9. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/90.23.1801.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Kloosterboer HJ. Tissue-selectivity: the mechanism of action of tibolone. Maturitas. 2004;48(Suppl 1):S30–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2004.02.012.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Erel CT, Elter K, Akman C, Ersavasti G, Altug A, Seyisoglu H, Ertungealp E. Mammographic changes in women receiving tibolone therapy. Fertil Steril. 1998;69(5):870–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(98)00051-x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ozdemir A, Konuş O, Nas T, Erbaş G, Coşar S, Işik S. Mammographic and ultrasonographic study of changes in the breast related to HRT. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1999;67(1):23–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0020-7292(99)00102-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Valdivia I, Ortega D. Mammographic density in postmenopausal women treated with tibolone, estriol or conventional hormone replacement therapy. Clin Drug Investig. 2000;20(2):101–7. https://doi.org/10.2165/00044011-200020020-00005.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Wolfe JN. Risk for breast cancer development determined by mammographic parenchymal pattern. Cancer. 1976;37(5):2486–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Colacurci N, Fornaro F, De Franciscis P, Palermo M, del Vecchio W. Effects of different types of hormone replacement therapy on mammographic density. Maturitas. 2001;40(2):159–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-5122(01)00232-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Lundström E, Christow A, Kersemaekers W, Svane G, Azavedo E, Söderqvist G, Mol-Arts M, Barkfeldt J, von Schoultz B. Effects of tibolone and continuous combined hormone replacement therapy on mammographic breast density. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;186(4):717–22. https://doi.org/10.1067/mob.2002.121896.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Bruce D, Robinson J, McWilliams S, Reddy M, Fentiman I, Rymer J. Long-term effects of tibolone on mammographic density. Fertil Steril. 2004;82(5):1343–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2004.03.063.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Beral V, Million Women Study Collaborators. Breast cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study. Lancet. 2003;362(9382):419–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(03)14065-2.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Whitehead M, Farmer R. The million women study: a critique. Endocrine. 2004;24(3):187–93. https://doi.org/10.1385/ENDO:24:3:187.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Velthuis-Te Wierik EJ, Hendricks PT, Martinez C. Preferential prescribing of tibolone and combined estrogen plus progestogen therapy in postmenopausal women. Menopause. 2007;14(3 Pt 1):518–27. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.gme.0000247012.54468.75.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Suissa S, Opatrny L. Commentary on ‘Hormone replacement therapy use and variations in the risk of breast cancer’. BJOG. 2008;115(7):918. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2008.01733.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Opatrny L, Dell’Aniello S, Assouline S, Suissa S. Hormone replacement therapy use and variations in the risk of breast cancer. BJOG. 2008;115(2):169–75; discussion 175. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01520.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Sismondi P, Kimmig R, Kubista E, Biglia N, Egberts J, Mulder R, Planellas J, Moggio G, Mol-Arts M, Kenemans P. Effects of tibolone on climacteric symptoms and quality of life in breast cancer patients—data from LIBERATE trial. Maturitas. 2011;70(4):365–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.09.003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Formoso G, Perrone E, Maltoni S, Balduzzi S, Wilkinson J, Basevi V, Marata AM, Magrini N, D’Amico R, Bassi C, Maestri E. Short-term and long-term effects of tibolone in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;10(10):CD008536. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008536.pub3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. Type and timing of menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk: individual participant meta-analysis of the worldwide epidemiological evidence. Lancet. 2019;394:1159–68.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  42. International Menopause Society. Comment on: Type and timing of menopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk: individual participant metaanalysis of the worldwide epidemiological evidence [Internet]. 2019. [cited 2020 Mar 22]. Available from: https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/5054afeb9b1bc763032333443f1c0bed.pdf.

  43. Vinogradova Y, Coupland C, Hippisley-Cox J. Use of hormone replacement therapy and risk of breast cancer: nested case-control studies using the QResearch and CPRD databases. BMJ. 2020;371:m3873. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3873.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  44. Baek JK, Kim HI, Kang MJ, Seon KE, Kim EH, Seo SK. Relationship between the type of hormone replacement therapy and incidence of breast cancer in Korea. Climacteric. 2022;25(5):516–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2022.2077096.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

The authors contributed equally to this article.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna Capozzi.

Ethics declarations

Ethics Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. The study was a literature review; thus, it did not require the approval of a specific Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee.

Consent to Participate

Not applicable.

Consent for Publication

Not applicable.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lello, S., Capozzi, A., Scambia, G. et al. Tibolone and Breast Tissue: a Review. Reprod. Sci. 30, 3403–3409 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01295-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43032-023-01295-9

Keywords

Navigation