Estrogen receptor beta, a possible tumor suppressor involved in ovarian carcinogenesis.
Ovarian cancer is one of the leading causes of death from gynecological tumors in women. Several lines of evidence suggest that estrogens may play an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis, through their receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta. Interestingly, malignant ovarian tumors originating from epithelial surface constitute about 90% of ovarian cancers and expressed low levels of ERbeta, compared to normal tissues. In addition, restoration of ERbeta in ovarian cancer cells, leads to strong inhibition of their proliferation and invasion, while apoptosis is enhanced. In this manuscript, recent data suggesting a possible tumor-suppressor role for ERbeta in ovarian carcinogenesis are discussed.
Lazennec
Gwendal
G
INSERM U540, Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology of Cancers, 60, rue de Navacelles, 34090 Montpellier, France. lazennec@montp.inserm.fr
D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*
D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta