And when estrogen gets near the cell, the cell absorbs it, it goes to the center of the cell, and tells the cell to divide. Well, when Raloxifene attaches the estrogen receptor, it also goes to the center of the cell, but it tells the cell not to divide in the breast. And that is obviously something that is very important in terms of decreasing the instance of breast cancer. But when the same complex of Raloxifene and estrogen receptor goes to the bone, it makes the bone cells grow. And that's why the drug works to prevent osteoporosis.
Tamoxifen seems to have an effect like estrogen on the lining of the uterus and makes it grow.
Raloxifene seems to have the opposite effect. It doesn't make the lining of the uterus grow. And that's probably why it does not increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Dr. Jordan, you know there's been some criticism of all the hype surrounding this drug. For example, Fran Bisco, who's president of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, has said that there's been to much hype, given the time of testing that you all have had.