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Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
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Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Published on: December 5, 2020

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Estrogen Signaling and Its Potential as a Target for Therapy in Ovarian Cancer

Simon P Langdon1, C Simon Herrington1,2, Robert L Hollis2

  • 1Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre and Edinburgh Pathology, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.

Cancers
|June 26, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Estrogen receptors (ERα) are key in certain ovarian cancers, offering therapeutic targets. Research seeks biomarkers to predict responses to endocrine therapies like tamoxifen.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Estrogen receptors (ER) play a role in specific ovarian cancer subtypes, presenting therapeutic opportunities.
  • ER-alpha (ERα) is expressed in most high-grade serous, low-grade serous, and endometrioid ovarian carcinomas, and granulosa cell tumors, which respond to endocrine therapies.
  • ER-beta (ERβ) generally acts as a tumor suppressor, while G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPER1) has complex roles in ovarian cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the role of estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ) and GPER1 in ovarian cancer.
  • To highlight the potential of ERs as therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.
  • To discuss the search for biomarkers predicting response to endocrine therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Analysis of expression patterns of ERα, ERβ, and GPER1 in ovarian cancer subtypes.
  • Examination of functional roles of ERs in cancer cell proliferation and migration.

Main Results:

  • ERα expression is common in responsive ovarian cancer subtypes, indicating its therapeutic relevance.
  • ERβ is generally associated with tumor suppression, with isoform-specific functions potentially influencing outcomes.
  • GPER1 exhibits dual roles, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter in ovarian cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is a significant therapeutic target in specific ovarian cancers.
  • Understanding the differential roles of ERβ isoforms and GPER1 is crucial for developing targeted ovarian cancer therapies.
  • Identifying biomarkers for endocrine therapy response remains a critical area of research in ovarian cancer treatment.
Keywords:
GPERestrogenestrogen receptorletrozoleovarian cancertamoxifen

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