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Updated: Apr 20, 2026
Assessment of Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Attachment and Invasion of Mesothelial Cells in Real Time
Published on: May 20, 2014
Estrogen biosynthesis and action in ovarian cancer
Felicitas Mungenast1, Theresia Thalhammer1
1Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna , Vienna , Austria.
Abstract:
Ovarian cancer is still the deadliest of all gynecologic malignancies in women worldwide. This is attributed to two main features of these tumors, namely, (i) a diagnosis at an advanced tumor stage, and, (ii) the rapid onset of resistance to standard chemotherapy after an initial successful therapy with platin- and taxol-derivatives. Therefore, novel targets for an early diagnosis and better treatment options for these tumors are urgently needed. Epidemiological data show that induction and biology of ovarian cancer is related to life-time estrogen exposure. Also experimental data reveal that ovarian cancer cells share a number of estrogen regulated pathways with other hormone-dependent cancers, e.g., breast and endometrial cancer. However, ovarian cancer is a heterogeneous disease and the subtypes are quite different with respect to mutations, origins, behaviors, markers, and prognosis and respond differently to standard chemotherapy. Therefore, a characterization of ovarian cancer subtypes may lead to better treatment options for the various subtypes and in particular for the most frequently observed high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. For this intention, further studies on estrogen-related pathways and estrogen formation in ovarian cancer cells are warranted. The review gives an overview on ovarian cancer subtypes and explains the role of estrogen in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, enzymes active to synthesize and metabolize estrogens are described and strategies to target these pathways are discussed.
Insights
Ovarian cancer is a deadly gynecologic malignancy often diagnosed late and resistant to chemotherapy. Understanding estrogen
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death globally.
- Diagnosis often occurs at advanced stages, and tumors develop resistance to chemotherapy (platin- and taxol-derivatives).
- Estrogen exposure is linked to ovarian cancer development and shares regulated pathways with other hormone-dependent cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review ovarian cancer subtypes and the role of estrogen.
- To discuss enzymes involved in estrogen synthesis and metabolism.
- To explore strategies for targeting estrogen pathways in ovarian cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological and experimental data.
- Analysis of estrogen-regulated pathways in ovarian cancer.
- Discussion of enzyme functions in estrogen pathways.
Main Results:
- Ovarian cancer is heterogeneous, with subtypes differing in mutations, origin, behavior, markers, prognosis, and treatment response.
- Estrogen plays a significant role in ovarian cancer biology.
- Enzymes involved in estrogen synthesis and metabolism are potential therapeutic targets.
Conclusions:
- Characterizing ovarian cancer subtypes is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
- Targeting estrogen-related pathways offers a promising strategy for improving ovarian cancer treatment.
- Further research into estrogen pathways is warranted for early diagnosis and effective treatment of ovarian cancer.
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