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Overcoming endocrine resistance in breast cancer

R A Madaio1, G Spalletta, L Cravello

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology, Ospedale Israelitico, Rome, Italy.

Current Cancer Drug Targets
|April 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer often becomes resistant to endocrine therapy. This review covers molecular mechanisms of resistance and highlights strategies to overcome it in hormone-responsive breast cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of all breast cancers.
  • Endocrine therapy is a cornerstone of treatment for hormone-responsive breast cancer.
  • Endocrine resistance, intrinsic or acquired, affects up to 25% of ER-positive breast cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review molecular mechanisms underlying intrinsic and acquired endocrine resistance in ER-positive breast cancer.
  • To highlight promising therapeutic strategies for overcoming endocrine resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of molecular mechanisms of endocrine resistance.
  • Analysis of current and emerging strategies to combat endocrine resistance.

Main Results:

  • Multiple molecular mechanisms contribute to both de novo and acquired endocrine resistance.
  • Various therapeutic strategies show promise in preclinical and clinical settings.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.
  • Targeting specific pathways offers potential to overcome endocrine resistance in breast cancer patients.

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