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Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Screening for Phytoestrogens using a Cell-based Estrogen Receptor β Reporter Assay
Published on: June 7, 2020
Phytoestrogens oestrogen synthesis and breast cancer
Suman Rice1, Saffron A Whitehead
1Division of Basic Medical Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Phytoestrogens are used as 'natural' alternatives to HRT and, although epidemiological evidence implies that diets rich in phytoestrogens reduce the incidence of breast cancer, their weak oestrogenicity is also known to stimulate growth in experimental models of breast cancer. This review addresses the question as to how phytoestrogens may protect against breast cancer through their ability to bind preferentially to oestrogen receptor beta, inhibit enzymes that convert circulating steroid precursors into oestradiol and inhibit cell signalling pathways of growth factors.
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