Cancer-biomarkers associated with sex hormone receptors and recent therapeutic advancements: a comprehensive review

Hormones and its regulation plays vital role in causing breast, prostate, ovarian and endometrial cancers collectively known as hormone-sensitive cancers. This review discusses the various functions of the sex hormones and the biological pathways involved in causing hormone-associated cancer under differential regulation. We have also attempted to explore the biomarkers associated with the cancers and the current therapeutic availability to treat such cancers. Among various sex hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and androgen, estrogen the female sex hormone and its receptor had a major contribution in causing cancer and hence are considered a predominant target in treating the associated cancers. Other hormones and receptors such a androgen, progesterone, and their respective receptors were also reported to have a significant correlation in causing cancers. Apart from these receptors certain enzymes that act as precursors or as promoters are also targeted for treatment strategies. The drugs commonly used belong to the selective drug classes such as selective estrogen receptor modulators and selective progesterone receptor modulators. In the case of androgen regulation androgen deprivation therapies are practiced. It is also suggested that the use of natural substances to treat cancer could prevent resistance and reduce side effects. Identification of significant targets and the discovery of many efficient drugs shall be possible in the future with better understanding of hormone regulation and its influence on cancer causative mechanisms.