title: Deciphering the divergent roles of progestogens in breast cancer.
abstract: Most breast cancers are driven by oestrogen receptor-α. Anti-oestrogenic drugs are the standard treatment for these breast cancers; however, treatment resistance is common, necessitating new therapeutic strategies. Recent preclinical and historical clinical studies support the use of progestogens to activate the progesterone receptor (PR) in breast cancers. However, widespread controversy exists regarding the role of progestogens in this disease, hindering the clinical implementation of PR-targeted therapies. Herein, we present and discuss data at the root of this controversy and clarify the confusion and misinterpretations that have consequently arisen. We then present our view on how progestogens may be safely and effectively used in treating breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE, UK.
authors.forename: Jason S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute and School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Theresa E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.affiliation: Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute and School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Gerard A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Tarulli
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, Oregon 97239-3098, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Dame Roma Mitchell Cancer Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute and School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Wayne D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Tilley
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011372:Progestins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C506487:ESR1 protein, human; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011372:Progestins; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone