[Proteins induced by estrogens. Search for new markers of hormone dependence in breast cancers].

The hormone dependence and the prognosis of human breast cancers are now based on the assays of the oestrogen receptor (RE) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the tumor. However, such prediction is not fully accurate since RE may be non functional in some tumors and the estrogenic regulation in PR is not directly correlated with the effects of estrogens on cell growth. Here, we review other estrogen induced proteins. A special emphasis is made on a 52,000 dalton glycoprotein released into the medium by human breast cancer cells. Studies on the regulation and biological role of this protein should improve our understanding of the mechanisms by which estrogens stimulate the growth and spreading of breast cancers. Such secreted proteins could later provide convenient circulatory markers of hormone dependency.