Pathways to tamoxifen resistance.

Abstract

Therapies that target the synthesis of estrogen or the function of estrogen receptor(s) have been developed to treat breast cancer. While these approaches have proven to be beneficial to a large number of patients, both de novo and acquired resistance to these drugs is a significant problem. Recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to resistance have provided a means to begin to predict patient responses to these drugs and develop rational approaches for combining therapeutic agents to circumvent or desensitize the resistant phenotype. Here, we review common mechanisms of antiestrogen resistance and discuss the implications for prediction of response and design of effective combinatorial treatments.

• Authors: Rebecca B Riggins, Randy S Schrecengost, Michael S Guerrero, Amy H Bouton
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 256 Issue 1 Pg. 1-24 (Oct 18 2007) ISSN: 0304-3835 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 17475399 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Review)

Chemical References

• Estrogen Antagonists
• Receptors, Estrogen
• Tamoxifen

Topics

• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy, metabolism, prevention & control)
• Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
• Estrogen Antagonists (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Receptors, Estrogen (metabolism)
• Signal Transduction
• Tamoxifen (therapeutic use)