Gopinath P, Oviya RP, Gopisetty G. Oestrogen receptor-independent actions of oestrogen in cancer.
Mol Biol Rep 2023;
50:9497-9509. [PMID:
37731028 DOI:
10.1007/s11033-023-08793-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Oestrogen, the primary female sex hormone, plays a significant role in tumourigenesis. The major pathway for oestrogen is via binding to its receptor [oestrogen receptor (ERα or β)], followed by nuclear translocation and transcriptional regulation of target genes. Almost 70% of breast tumours are ER + , and endocrine therapies with selective ER modulators (tamoxifen) have been successfully applied. As many as 25% of tamoxifen-treated patients experience disease relapse within 5 years upon completion of chemotherapy. In such cases, the ER-independent oestrogen actions provide a plausible explanation for the resistance, as well as expands the existing horizon of available drug targets. ER-independent oestrogen signalling occurs via one of the following pathways: signalling through membrane receptors, oxidative catabolism giving rise to genotoxic metabolites, effects on mitochondria and redox balance, and induction of inflammatory cytokines. The current review focuses on the non-classical oestrogen signalling, its role in cancer, and its clinical significance.
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