Definition of the cellular mechanisms which distinguish between hormone and antihormone activated steroid receptors.

Steroid hormones are key regulatory molecules required for the coordinated regulation of the events associated with growth, differentiation and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. A large number of clinical abnormalities have been shown to be associated with defects in sex steroid hormone production or in the way the cell responds to these hormonal stimuli. As a consequence of the need to modulate the action of the sex steroids, several antihormones, compounds which oppose the action of the natural hormones, have been developed. These antihormones have found widespread application in the treatment of breast and prostate cancers, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Of late, considerable progress has been made in defining the precise molecular mechanism of action of steroid hormones and their corresponding antihormones. It is anticipated that this information will impact the discovery and development of novel antihormones with improved therapeutic profiles.