Predicting Tamoxifen's Effectiveness: Testing for CYP2D6 Gains More Steam

Discussed in this blog two years ago, many academicians now recommend testing for CYP2D6 metabolic signature to determine if postmenopausal women should switch from tamoxifen to aromatase inhibitors. However, given that most oncologists offer aromatase inhibitors preferentially to postmenopausal women over tamoxifen the question is still unanswered - should premenopausal women have their CYP2D6 status analyzed?

CYP2D6 variations can predict who is going to metabolize tamoxifen to its active form and who won't - those who don't purportedly obtain less benefit. Stay tuned for a consensus statement (hopefully!) soon.