Shao Wenlin, Brown Myles
Division of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Breast Cancer Res. 2004;6(1):39-52. doi: 10.1186/bcr742. Epub 2003 Nov 7.
Estrogen receptor (ER) has a crucial role in normal breast development and is expressed in the most common breast cancer subtypes. Importantly, its expression is very highly predictive for response to endocrine therapy. Current endocrine therapies for ER-positive breast cancers target ER function at multiple levels. These include targeting the level of estrogen, blocking estrogen action at the ER, and decreasing ER levels. However, the ultimate effectiveness of therapy is limited by either intrinsic or acquired resistance. Identifying the factors and pathways responsible for sensitivity and resistance remains a challenge in improving the treatment of breast cancer. With a better understanding of coordinated action of ER, its coregulatory factors, and the influence of other intracellular signaling cascades, improvements in breast cancer therapy are emerging.
雌激素受体（ER）在正常乳腺发育中起关键作用，且在最常见的乳腺癌亚型中表达。重要的是，其表达对内分泌治疗反应具有很高的预测性。目前针对雌激素受体阳性乳腺癌的内分泌治疗在多个水平上靶向雌激素受体功能。这些包括靶向雌激素水平、在雌激素受体处阻断雌激素作用以及降低雌激素受体水平。然而，治疗的最终有效性受到内在或获得性耐药的限制。确定导致敏感性和耐药性的因素及途径仍然是改善乳腺癌治疗的一项挑战。随着对雌激素受体及其共调节因子的协同作用以及其他细胞内信号级联影响的更好理解，乳腺癌治疗正在取得进展。
