Abstract
Breast growth and development is regulated by interactions of steroid hormones and polypeptide growth factors with their specific cellular receptors (Clarke et al., 1992). Estrogen receptors (ER) have been detected in more than 50% of primary human breast tumours. Presence of ER in primary tumours identifies patients with a lower risk of relapse and prolonged survival. Therapeutic strategies using antiestrogens are based on the dependence of breast cancer cells on estrogens for proliferation. These antagonists can bind to the ER, but are unable to stimulate cell proliferation. Approximately 50% of patients with ER-positive primary tumours will have an objective response to endocrine therapy. However, the duration of response is limited and the majority of patients will experience a relapse due to development of hormone-independent tumours.
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References
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© 1995 Springer Science+Business Media New York
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van Agthoven, T., Dorssers, L.C.J. (1995). Interplay between Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Estrogen Receptor in Progression to Hormone Independence of Human Breast Cancer. In: Wilde, C.J., Peaker, M., Knight, C.H. (eds) Intercellular Signalling in the Mammary Gland. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1973-7_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1973-7_8
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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