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Updated: Oct 17, 2025

Systems Biology of Metabolic Regulation by Estrogen Receptor Signaling in Breast Cancer
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Steroid Receptors in Breast Cancer: Understanding of Molecular Function as a Basis for Effective Therapy Development

Wojciech Kowalczyk1, Grzegorz Waliszczak1, Robert Jach2

  • 1Chair of Medical Biochemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 7 Kopernika St., 31-034 Kraków, Poland.

Cancers
|October 13, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Steroid receptors (SRs) are crucial in breast cancer pathogenesis. Understanding their complex interactions and functions is key to developing new hormone therapies beyond estrogen receptor targeting.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a major global health issue.
  • Steroid receptors (SRs), including estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR), and androgen (AR) receptors, are implicated in breast cancer development.
  • Their functions extend beyond gene regulation, involving protein interactions and crosstalk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review current knowledge on the role of SRs in breast cancer.
  • To summarize the molecular functions of SRs for improved therapeutic strategies.
  • To highlight ongoing research into the therapeutic applications of various SRs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on steroid receptors and breast cancer.
  • Analysis of data on SRs' interactions, post-translational modifications, and coregulator expression.
  • Synthesis of information on SR isoforms and their cellular context.

Main Results:

  • SRs play a critical role in breast cancer pathogenesis through complex mechanisms.
  • ER is a validated therapeutic target, but research on other SRs is expanding.
  • Factors like post-translational modifications and coregulator expression influence SR function.

Conclusions:

  • A thorough understanding of SR molecular functions is essential for designing effective hormone therapies.
  • Further research into non-ER SRs holds promise for novel breast cancer treatments.
  • This review consolidates existing knowledge to guide future therapeutic development.
Keywords:
androgen receptorbreast cancerestrogen receptorglucocorticoid receptormineralocorticoid receptormolecular functionprogesterone receptorsteroid receptorsvitamin D receptor

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