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Estrogen Receptors in Resistance to Hormone Therapy

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Breast Cancer Chemosensitivity

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 608))

Abstract

Estrogen and its receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ) play a major role in tumor progression and approximately two-thirds of breast cancers express these functional receptors. Thus, the ER is a major target for current and developing therapies. Although most ER-positive tumors initially respond to hormonal therapies such as tamoxifen, many tumors will eventually become resistant to tamoxifen induced growth inhibition. This chapter will discuss molecular mechanisms that contribute to hormonal resistance of current therapies including ERα mutations, the roles of proliferation and apoptosis in tumor homeostasis and receptor coregulator proteins. Additionally, the role of nonclassical ERα signaling through growth factor receptors and the subsequent downstream-initiated signaling, and the role of the progesterone receptors will be discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, BCM 600, Houston, Texas, USA, 77030

    Matthew H. Herynk & Suzanne A. W. Fuqua

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  2. Suzanne A. W. Fuqua
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Correspondence to Suzanne A. W. Fuqua .

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  1. Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Dihua Yu

  2. Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Mien-Chie Hung

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Herynk, M.H., Fuqua, S.A.W. (2007). Estrogen Receptors in Resistance to Hormone Therapy. In: Yu, D., Hung, MC. (eds) Breast Cancer Chemosensitivity. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 608. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-74039-3_10

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