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Role of estrogen receptor-alpha in pharmacogenetics of estrogen action
1Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. dherring@wfubmc.edu
Purpose Of Review:
To summarize recent data regarding the role of estrogen receptor-alpha polymorphisms in determining the response to estrogen therapy or the risk of clinical cardiovascular events.
Recent Findings:
Recent clinical trials of hormone replacement therapy for cardiovascular disease have yielded surprisingly negative results, shifting clinical opinions from a position of presumed cardiovascular benefit to one of confirmed harm. Understanding why hormone replacement therapy has beneficial effects on intermediate risk markers for cardiovascular disease, but produces an increase in cardiovascular events, is an important public health question with the potential to elucidate fundamentally important aspects on atherogenesis, cardiovascular disease, and the biology of estrogen action. One question concerning the cardiovascular effects of hormone replacement therapy is whether genetic factors can substantially modify individual responses to estrogen treatment. New clinical trial evidence is emerging that links the presence of particular variants in the estrogen receptor to the response of HDL and other intermediate endpoints to hormone replacement therapy.
Summary:
One or more common variants in estrogen receptor-alpha are associated with a differential response to hormone replacement therapy in several domains of estrogen action. However, the effect of these variants on the risk of clinical cardiovascular events in the setting of hormone replacement therapy is not yet known. Additional research focusing on the clinical impact of common variants in estrogen receptor-alpha, estrogen receptor-beta and the progesterone receptor promise to improve clinical decision-making concerning the use of hormone replacement therapy and other novel estrogen agonists.
Insights
Estrogen receptor-alpha gene variants influence how women respond to hormone therapy, potentially affecting cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to confirm their impact on clinical cardiovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has shifted from presumed cardiovascular benefit to confirmed harm based on recent trials.
- Understanding discrepancies in HRT's effects on cardiovascular risk markers versus clinical events is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data on estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-alpha) polymorphisms and their role in HRT response.
- To investigate the influence of genetic factors on individual responses to estrogen therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical trial data on hormone replacement therapy.
- Analysis of emerging evidence linking estrogen receptor variants to intermediate cardiovascular endpoints.
Main Results:
- Estrogen receptor-alpha variants are associated with differential responses to HRT in various estrogenic pathways.
- New evidence suggests a link between specific estrogen receptor variants and HDL response to HRT.
Conclusions:
- Common ER-alpha variants affect HRT response but their impact on clinical cardiovascular events remains unknown.
- Research on ER-alpha, ER-beta, and progesterone receptor variants may refine HRT decision-making.
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