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Published on: November 15, 2013

[Steroid sulfatase inhibitor]

Taisuke Nakata1, Hiroyuki Ishida, Yukimasa Shiotsu

  • 1Strategic Product Planning Department, Fuji Research Park, Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co. LTD.

Nihon Rinsho. Japanese Journal of Clinical Medicine
|June 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen-dependent breast cancers in postmenopausal women often become resistant to treatments like SERMs and AIs. Targeting steroid sulfatase (STS) offers a promising approach to inhibit local estrogen production and overcome treatment resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • Over 60% of breast cancers occur in postmenopausal women.
  • Many breast cancers are hormone-dependent, primarily estrogen-dependent.
  • Current treatments include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and aromatase inhibitors (AIs).

Purpose:

  • To address the significant issue of tumor resistance to SERMs and AIs.
  • To explore novel therapeutic targets for estrogen-dependent breast cancer.
  • To highlight the importance of inhibiting local estrogen synthesis.

Summary:

  • Estrogen-dependent breast tumors in postmenopausal women frequently develop resistance to standard therapies (SERMs, AIs).
  • Recent research indicates that inhibiting local estrogen formation is more critical than reducing systemic estrogen levels.
  • Steroid sulfatase (STS), highly expressed in breast carcinoma tissues, is identified as a key target for inhibiting local estrogen production.

Impact:

  • Provides a rationale for developing new therapeutic strategies targeting STS.
  • Offers potential for overcoming treatment resistance in estrogen-dependent breast cancers.
  • Contributes to advancing the understanding of hormone-driven cancer biology and treatment.

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