Download This PaperCase Histories of Significant Advances: Tamoxifen, A Gold Standard Treatment for Breast Cancer
Harvard Business School General Management Unit Working Paper No. 20-134
Harvard Business School Accounting & Management Unit Working Paper No. 20-134
19 Pages Posted: 24 Aug 2020 Last revised: 4 Mar 2024
Date Written: May 15, 2021
Abstract
Our case history describes the development of tamoxifen, considered a “gold standard” treatment for millions of breast cancer patients. Specifically, we describe breast cancer treatments prior to tamoxifen’s development; the initial development of tamoxifen from 1960 to 1973; tamoxifen’s adoption as an adjuvant breast cancer treatment between 1973 and 1985; and the extension of tamoxifen’s use to include preventative treatment, between 1986 and 2002.
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Katherine Stebbins
Harvard University - Business School (HBS) ( email )
Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
United States