Usage Information
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 1994;94(4):1690-1697. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI117514.
Abstract
Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen frequently used in the treatment of breast cancer and is currently being assessed as a prophylactic for those at high risk of developing tumors. We have found that tamoxifen and its derivatives are high-affinity blockers of specific chloride channels. This blockade appears to be independent of the interaction of tamoxifen with the estrogen receptor and therefore reflects an alternative cellular target. One of the clinical side effects of tamoxifen is impaired vision and cataract. Chloride channels in the lens of the eye were shown to be essential for maintaining normal lens hydration and transmittance. These channels were blocked by tamoxifen and, in organ culture, tamoxifen led to lens opacity associated with cataracts at clinically relevant concentrations. These data suggest a molecular mechanism by which tamoxifen can cause cataract formation and have implications for the clinical use of tamoxifen and related antiestrogens.
Authors
J J Zhang, T J Jacob, M A Valverde, S P Hardy, G M Mintenig, F V Sepúlveda, D R Gill, S C Hyde, A E Trezise, C F Higgins
Usage data is cumulative from July 2024 through July 2025.
| Usage | JCI | PMC |
|---|---|---|
| Text version | 289 | 22 |
| 74 | 14 | |
| Scanned page | 338 | 6 |
| Citation downloads | 64 | 0 |
| Totals | 765 | 42 |
| Total Views | 807 | |
Usage information is collected from two different sources: this site (JCI) and Pubmed Central (PMC). JCI information (compiled daily) shows human readership based on methods we employ to screen out robotic usage. PMC information (aggregated monthly) is also similarly screened of robotic usage.
Various methods are used to distinguish robotic usage. For example, Google automatically scans articles to add to its search index and identifies itself as robotic; other services might not clearly identify themselves as robotic, or they are new or unknown as robotic. Because this activity can be misinterpreted as human readership, data may be re-processed periodically to reflect an improved understanding of robotic activity. Because of these factors, readers should consider usage information illustrative but subject to change.
Copyright © 2025 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)