Flowchart shows the impact of tamoxifen on different types of viruses


Michigan State University

- Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer patients
- Tamoxifen (TAM) makes sure that bone density stays within the normal range in postmenopausal women
- TAM also decreases the risk damage caused by cardiovascular disease
- TAM binds to estrogen
- TAM suppresses viral replication
- NK cells were deficient in those with severe SARS coronavirus (two decades ago)
- NK cells aid in immunity against pathogens
- 10-20% of lymphocytes are NK cells found in the lungs
- TAM regulates the activity of NK cells, and other white blood cells
- TAM reduces PGE2 activity, increasing NK cell activity
- Reduction in PGE2 reduces viral replication
- TAM increases Nrf2 activity in breast cancer patients
- TAM prevents HIV replication when PKC is increasing viral replication
- TAM functioning increases if given before the onset of an infection
- TAM target viruses with spikes present on them (along with envelopes)
- TAM may be more beneficial than chloroquine in patients with COVID-19



Impact of Tamoxifen from a Chemotherapy Drug to an Antiviral Drug to Treat COVID-19 Patients

Almosawey, H. A. S., AL-Khikani, F. H. O., Hameed, R. M., Abdullah, Y. J., Al-Ibraheemi, M. K. M., & Al-Asadi, A. A. (2020). Tamoxifen from chemotherapy to antiviral drug: Possible activity against COVID-19. Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Journal (BBRJ), 4(2), 108.

Tamoxifen from chemotherapy to antiviral drug: Possible activity against COVID-19


Flowchart describing characteristics of TAM

Tamoxifen Properties

Tamoxifen blocks prostaglandin production. This, in turn, inhibits virtual replication and blocks prostaglandins’ effect on the immune response. When tamoxifen increases the antiviral response, more NK cells are activated.

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