Abstract
While it is well documented that the mitogenic actions of estrogens are critical in the development and progression of human breast and some gynecologic cancers, only latest data demonstrate a crucial involvement of estrogen-signaling in the carcinogenesis of non-classical estrogen target tissues, as colon, prostate, lung, skin, and brain. Only recently it has also been found out that the biological effects of estrogens are mediated by two distinct estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, and that their relative levels in a given cell are important determinants of response to estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Indeed, although ERα and ERβ have similar structure, they produce different effects, and there is currently increasing evidence that, for some tumors, an imbalanced ERβ expression might play a pivotal role in tumor development and progression. However, the prognostic value, the potential significance in predicting response to endocrine therapy, and, eventually, the utility of ERβ as a therapeutic target need to be assessed in large-scale and prospective clinical studies. This review examines the experimental and clinical evidences for a role of ERβ in carcinogenesis of classical and nonclassical estrogen target tissues. If anomalies of ERβ expression could be demonstrated to represent a critical step in the development and progression of some types of cancers, its re-expression by genetic engineering, as well as the use of targeted ERβ therapies would constitute new important therapeutic approaches.
Keywords: Estrogen, ERβ, brain, breast, colon, lung, ovary, prostate, skin, uterus, vulva
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Estrogen Receptor Beta in Cancer: an Attractive Target for Therapy
Volume: 18 Issue: 19
Author(s): Daniela Gallo, Ilaria De Stefano, Maria Grazia Prisco, Giovanni Scambia and Gabriella Ferrandina
Affiliation:
Keywords: Estrogen, ERβ, brain, breast, colon, lung, ovary, prostate, skin, uterus, vulva
Abstract: While it is well documented that the mitogenic actions of estrogens are critical in the development and progression of human breast and some gynecologic cancers, only latest data demonstrate a crucial involvement of estrogen-signaling in the carcinogenesis of non-classical estrogen target tissues, as colon, prostate, lung, skin, and brain. Only recently it has also been found out that the biological effects of estrogens are mediated by two distinct estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, and that their relative levels in a given cell are important determinants of response to estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Indeed, although ERα and ERβ have similar structure, they produce different effects, and there is currently increasing evidence that, for some tumors, an imbalanced ERβ expression might play a pivotal role in tumor development and progression. However, the prognostic value, the potential significance in predicting response to endocrine therapy, and, eventually, the utility of ERβ as a therapeutic target need to be assessed in large-scale and prospective clinical studies. This review examines the experimental and clinical evidences for a role of ERβ in carcinogenesis of classical and nonclassical estrogen target tissues. If anomalies of ERβ expression could be demonstrated to represent a critical step in the development and progression of some types of cancers, its re-expression by genetic engineering, as well as the use of targeted ERβ therapies would constitute new important therapeutic approaches.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gallo Daniela, De Stefano Ilaria, Grazia Prisco Maria, Scambia Giovanni and Ferrandina Gabriella, Estrogen Receptor Beta in Cancer: an Attractive Target for Therapy, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2012; 18 (19) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212800626139
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161212800626139 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Circulating MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Inflammatory Diseases
MicroRNA Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors: A Painful Lesson
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Subject Index To Volume 7
Current Drug Targets Lanthionine Synthetase Component C-Like Protein 2: A New Drug Target for Inflammatory Diseases and Diabetes
Current Drug Targets Emerging Trends in Endometriosis Treatment - Review
Current Women`s Health Reviews Epigenetic Modifications of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signalling Pathway and its Impact on Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles-Assisted Drug Delivery System
Current Pharmaceutical Design ABC Transporters, Bile Acids, and Inflammatory Stress in Liver Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Life and Death Partners in Post-PCI Restenosis: Apoptosis, Autophagy, and The Cross-talk Between Them
Current Drug Targets Reactive Oxygen Species, Cancer and Anti-Cancer Therapies
Current Chemical Biology Intestinal MicrobiOMICS to Define Health and Disease in Human and Mice
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Stem Cell and Gene Therapeutic Strategies for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Current Molecular Medicine Functional and Molecular Ultrasound Imaging: Concepts and Contrast Agents
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Novel Method for Screening of Anti-Cancer Drugs: Availability of Screening in Acidic Medium
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Electronic Noses in Medical Diagnostics
Current Medicinal Chemistry Bridging the Gap Between Chemistry and Biotechnology - Large Molecules with Potential, How Could Biotechnology Complement Chemistry?
Current Organic Chemistry Serum Levels of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 as Early Predictors of Mortality in Trauma Hemorrhagic Shock Patients
Clinical Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Drugs (Discontinued) Xenobiotic-Induced Transcriptional Regulation of Xenobiotic Metabolizing Enzymes of the Cytochrome P450 Superfamily in Human Extrahepatic Tissues
Current Drug Metabolism Development ofNovel Compounds to Treat Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases and Graft Versus Host Reactions
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Optimization of Drug Safety Profile in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Through a Personalized Approach
Current Drug Targets