selective estrogen receptor modulator

noun

: any of a class of drugs (such as raloxifene or tamoxifen) that bind with estrogen receptors (as of the breast, uterus, or bone) and act as agonists to enhance estrogen activity in some tissues and as antagonists to inhibit estrogen activity in other tissues
… a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM, has estrogenlike effects on bone but acts like an antiestrogen in breast and uterine tissue, thus protecting against hormone-stimulated cancers …Jane E. Brody

called also SERM

Examples of selective estrogen receptor modulator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Tamoxifen What It’s Approved For Tamoxifen belongs to a group of drugs called selective estrogen receptor modulators, or SERMs. Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 29 Nov. 2023 In 1998, the FDA approved Tamoxifen, an anti-estrogen medication and a pioneer drug in the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) class. Jon Hu, Forbes, 4 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'selective estrogen receptor modulator.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1994, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selective estrogen receptor modulator was in 1994

Dictionary Entries Near selective estrogen receptor modulator

selective cutting

selective estrogen receptor modulator

selective flotation

Cite this Entry

“Selective estrogen receptor modulator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective%20estrogen%20receptor%20modulator. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

selective estrogen receptor modulator

noun
: any of a class of drugs (as raloxifene or tamoxifen) that bind with estrogen receptors (as of the breast, uterus, or bone) and act as agonists to enhance estrogen activity in some tissues and as antagonists to inhibit estrogen activity in other tissues
… a selective estrogen receptor modulator, or SERM, has estrogenlike effects on bone but acts like an antiestrogen in breast and uterine tissue, thus protecting against hormone-stimulated cancers …Jane E. Brody, The New York Times
Selective estrogen receptor modulators, a newer group of agents, maximize the beneficial effects of estrogen on bone and minimize its deleterious effects on the breast and endometrium.Charles Marwick, The Journal of the American Medical Association

called also SERM

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