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Gallez A, Nys G, Wuidar V, Dias Da Silva I, Taziaux M, Kinet V, Tskitishvili E, Noel A, Foidart JM, Piel G, Fillet M, Péqueux C. Comparison of Estetrol Exposure between Women and Mice to Model Preclinical Experiments and Anticipate Human Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119718. [PMID: 37298669 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Estetrol (E4) is a natural estrogen with promising therapeutic applications in humans. The European Medicines Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have approved the use of 15 mg E4/3 mg drospirenone for contraceptive indication. Phase III clinical trials with 15-20 mg E4 for the relief of climacteric complaints are currently running. Relevant data from preclinical animal models are needed to characterize the molecular mechanisms and the pharmacological effects of E4 and possibly to reveal new therapeutic applications and to anticipate potential adverse effects. Therefore, it is important to design experimental procedures in rodents that closely mimic or anticipate human E4 exposure. In this study, we compared the effects of E4 exposure after acute or chronic administration in women and mice. Women who received chronic E4 treatment per os at a dose of 15 mg once daily reached a steady state within 6 to 8 days, with a mean plasma concentration of 3.20 ng/mL. Importantly, with subcutaneous, intraperitoneal or oral administration of E4 in mice, a stable concentration over time that would mimic human pharmacokinetics could not be achieved. The use of osmotic minipumps continuously releasing E4 for several weeks provided an exposure profile mimicking chronic oral administration in women. Measurements of the circulating concentration of E4 in mice revealed that the mouse equivalent dose necessary to mimic human treatment does not fit with the allometric prediction. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of precise definition of the most appropriate dose and route of administration to utilize when developing predictive preclinical animal models to mimic or anticipate specific human treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gallez
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Gwenaël Nys
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), Laboratory for the Analysis of Medicines, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Vincent Wuidar
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Dias Da Silva
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Mélanie Taziaux
- Mithra Pharmaceuticals, Rue Saint-Georges 5/7, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Virginie Kinet
- Mithra Pharmaceuticals, Rue Saint-Georges 5/7, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Ekaterine Tskitishvili
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Agnès Noel
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Foidart
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Géraldine Piel
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Marianne Fillet
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Medicines (CIRM), Laboratory for the Analysis of Medicines, University of Liège, Avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Christel Péqueux
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumor and Development Biology, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, B23, Avenue Hippocrate 13, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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Abstract
Estrogens have pleiotropic effects on many reproductive and non-reproductive tissues and organs including the mammary gland, uterus, ovaries, vagina, and endothelium. Estrogen receptor α functions as the principal mediator of estrogenic action in most of these tissues. Estetrol (E4) is a native fetal estrogen with selective tissue actions that is currently approved for use as the estrogen component in a combined oral contraceptive and is being developed as a menopause hormone therapy (MHT, also known as hormone replacement therapy). However, exogenous hormonal treatments, in particular MHTs, have been shown to promote the growth of preexisting breast cancers and are associated with a variable risk of breast cancer depending on the treatment modality. Therefore, evaluating the safety of E4-based formulations on the breast forms a crucial part of the clinical development process. This review highlights preclinical and clinical studies that have assessed the effects of E4 and E4-progestogen combinations on the mammary gland and breast cancer, focusing in particular on the estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties of E4. We discuss the potential advantages of E4 over current available estrogen-formulations as a contraceptive and for the treatment of symptoms due to menopause. We also consider the potential of E4 for the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Gallez
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumors and Development, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Dias Da Silva
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumors and Development, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Vincent Wuidar
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumors and Development, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Foidart
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumors and Development, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Christel Péqueux
- Laboratory of Biology, Tumors and Development, GIGA-Cancer, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
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