[Role of estrogen receptor isoforms in the pathogenesis and treatment of endometrial cancer].
Estrogens play a crucial role in the regulation of the physiology of breast tissue and endometrium. Furthermore, estrogen has been implicated in the initiation and progression of neoplasms of these tissues. Estrogens mediate their effects through various estrogen receptor isoforms and isotypes. In breast tissue and in the endometrium the classical estrogen receptor ERalpha represents the mainly expressed ER isoform, whereas in the ovary the alternative estrogen receptor ERbeta is predominantly expressed. This review briefly describes the structure, function and expression of these receptors with special regard to endometrial cancer. Recent data indicate that alterations of the physiological ERalpha/ERbeta ratio in endometrial cancer correlates with poor clinical outcome. The potential clinical relevance of differential ER-isotype expression is also discussed with respect to an antihormonal therapy.
Hanstein
Bettina
B
Universitäts-Frauenklinik Düsseldorf, Germany. Bettina.Hanstein@uni-duesseldorf.de
Beckmann
M W
MW
Bender
H G
HG
D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen