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Progression from steroid sensitive to insensitive state in breast tumours
1Imperial Cancer Research Fund, School of Biological Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford.
Cancer Surveys
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Tumor progression to hormone insensitivity can occur through various pathways, including receptor loss or abnormal receptors. Further mechanisms are expected as research refines experimental systems and identifies more factors in breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Hormone sensitivity is crucial for many cancer treatments.
- Tumor progression can lead to resistance to endocrine therapies.
- Understanding resistance mechanisms is key to improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the diverse pathways of tumor progression from hormone sensitivity to insensitivity.
- To highlight the role of receptor status and other factors in developing treatment resistance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on hormone-dependent cancers.
- Analysis of mechanisms leading to receptor loss or dysfunction.
- Consideration of spontaneous cellular changes and environmental factors like steroid deprivation.
Main Results:
- Tumor insensitivity can arise from complete receptor loss.
- Abnormal receptor function also contributes to hormone insensitivity.
- Insensitivity can occur even with apparently normal receptors, due to spontaneous mutations or steroid withdrawal.
Conclusions:
- Tumor progression to hormone insensitivity involves multiple, independent pathways.
- Receptor status is a key determinant, but not the sole factor.
- Breast cancer's multifactorial nature suggests undiscovered mechanisms of resistance.