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An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast
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An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast

Published on: January 8, 2015

Progesterone signalling in breast cancer: a neglected hormone coming into the limelight

Cathrin Brisken1

  • 1ISREC - Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, National Center of Competence for Molecular Oncology, School of Life Sciences, Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), SV2.832 Station 19, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. cathrin.brisken@epfl.ch

Nature Reviews. Cancer
|May 25, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Progesterone plays a crucial role in breast cancer, challenging the focus on oestrogen. Understanding progesterone receptor signalling may unlock new prevention and therapy strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Oestrogens, particularly oestrogen receptor-α (ERα), have been the primary focus in breast cancer research and treatment due to the success of therapies like tamoxifen.
  • Progesterone, another key ovarian hormone, has historically received less attention in breast cancer, with early progesterone receptor (PR) antagonists associated with severe side effects.
  • Emerging evidence suggests progesterone is an important hormone in breast cancer, necessitating a re-evaluation of its role.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distinct roles of ERα and PR signalling in normal mammary gland biology.
  • To explore the potential of targeting progesterone signalling for novel breast cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies.
  • To assess the translational relevance of findings from mouse models to human breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of ERα and PR signalling pathways in mammary gland biology.
  • Evaluation of biological functions mediated by ERα and PR signalling.
  • Investigation of paracrine mediators involved in hormone signalling in the breast.

Main Results:

  • ERα and PR signalling exhibit distinct biological functions in the normal mouse mammary gland.
  • Both ERα and PR pathways utilize distinct paracrine mediators to exert their biological effects.
  • These findings highlight the complex interplay of ovarian hormones in breast biology.

Conclusions:

  • Progesterone signalling represents a significant, yet underexplored, avenue for breast cancer research.
  • Understanding the distinct roles and paracrine mediators of ERα and PR signalling may reveal new therapeutic targets.
  • Translating findings from preclinical models to human biology could open new frontiers in breast cancer prevention and treatment.

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