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Hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer.
1Breast Oncology Clinical Trials Program, University of California, San Francisco Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1600 Divisidero Street, 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. hrugo@medicine.ucsf.edu
Hematology/Oncology Clinics of North America
|May 22, 2007
Summary
Hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer has evolved over 100 years, improving treatment by measuring hormone receptors and developing selective therapies. Current research explores targeted biologic agents to overcome resistance to hormone therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer has a rich history spanning over a century.
- Initial treatments involved ovarian ablation in premenopausal women.
- Understanding estrogen and progesterone receptor expression is crucial for predicting treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of hormonal therapy for advanced breast cancer.
- To highlight advancements in hormone receptor detection and targeted therapies.
- To discuss current research directions in overcoming hormone therapy resistance.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of scientific literature.
- Analysis of advancements in diagnostic methods for hormone receptors.
- Examination of the development of antiestrogen therapies.
- Overview of emerging targeted biologic agents.
Main Results:
- Significant improvements in treatment options for hormone-responsive advanced breast cancer.
- Development of methods to measure estrogen and progesterone receptors.
- Increased understanding of receptor expression's role in therapy response.
- Emergence of selective antiestrogen therapies.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal therapy has transformed advanced breast cancer treatment.
- Targeted therapies and understanding receptor status are key.
- Future research focuses on combination treatments to combat resistance.
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