Most breast cancers are estrogen-receptor positive and often treated with anti-estrogen drugs. However, resistance to the hormone therapy eventually develops in many patients, leaving them with limited options. This article outlines the findings of a recent study that reveals a molecular mechanism involved in drug resistance which can lead to novel therapeutic options for estrogen-driven breast tumors.
Approximately 75% of breast tumors express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), and breast cancer patients with ERα+ tumors generally receive endocrine therapy targeting either estrogen production with aromatase inhibitors or ER activity with selective ERα modulators (SERMs) such as 4OH-tamoxifen (TOT). Unfortunately, large numbers of patients eventually develop resistance to these treatments, leaving them with few alternatives. Current research trends In recent years, many researchers have…
