A review on the role of L-carnitine in the management of tamoxifen side effects in treated women with breast cancer

Tumour Biol. 2014 Apr;35(4):2845-55. doi: 10.1007/s13277-013-1477-5. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

Abstract

L-carnitine is an antioxidant and is found to be a protective agent against many diseases including cancer. This review illustrates the possible role of L-carnitine as an add-on therapy to breast cancer patients maintained on tamoxifen. The objectives of carnitine treatment are diverse: improving tamoxifen-related side effects, offering better cancer prognosis by reducing the risk of developing cancer recurrence or metastasis, and modulating the growth factors which may be, in part, a prospective illustration to overcome tamoxifen resistance. So, it could be recommended to supplement L-carnitine to breast cancer patients starting tamoxifen treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Carnitine / pharmacology
  • Carnitine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / physiology
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / physiology
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Tamoxifen
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Carnitine