Clinical relevance of hormone receptor status to breast cancer treatment

Abstract

Estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) are known to play a key role in breast cancer. Much of the molecular architecture of the estrogen receptor is known, and mutation-inducing changes at the receptor site may help to explain the varying prognosis of breast cancer in different women. At a consensus meeting, held at St Gallen, Switzerland in 1995, guidelines were drawn up for the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, including considerations of hormone receptor status. Hormonal therapy is aimed at reducing estrogen levels, generally by the use of tamoxifen, but also with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists. Women with ER-positive breast tumors are likely to benefit most from hormonal therapy, particularly for metastatic disease, for which response rates of 78% have been recorded. ER- and PR-negative breast cancers are likely to recur early and be associated with poor survival.

Key Words:

• ESTROGEN RECEPTORS
• PROGESTERONE RECEPTORS
• BREAST CANCER
• TAMOXIFEN
• GONADOTROPIN RELEASING HORMONE AGONISTS