In:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol. 98, No. 26 ( 2001-12-18), p. 15197-15202
Abstract:
To elucidate the clinical importance of estrogen receptor (ER) β
in breast cancer, 29 archival primary breast cancer specimens, six locally recurrent cancers, and five benign mammary tumors were examined
histochemically for ERα, ERβ and the proliferation markers Ki67 and cyclin A. In benign tumors, most epithelial cells contained
ERβ, but ERα was rare. In primary cancers, both ERα and ERβ occurred in epithelial cells, the presence of ERβ being associated
with elevated expression of Ki67 and cyclin A, and ERα with decreased
levels. Thus, the highest content of proliferation markers was seen in primary cancers that were ERα − ERβ + . Most
Ki67-containing cells coexpressed ERβ, but few showed ERα. In locally recurring cancers, ERα, ERβ, and Ki67 were more highly
expressed than in the corresponding primary tumors, and many cells containing ERβ, but few with ERα, expressed Ki67. Surprisingly,
ERβ, but not ERα, was seen in the stromal cells of both primary and recurrent cancers. Because the response of breast cancers to tamoxifen
therapy is correlated with the presence of ERα, cancer cells that lack ERα but contain ERβ and proliferation markers represent a
novel population of apparently proliferating cells that probably are not targeted by the current antiestrogens. Thus, appropriate
ERβ-specific ligands, perhaps in combination with tamoxifen, may be useful in improving the treatment of breast cancers.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0027-8424
,
1091-6490
DOI:
10.1073/pnas.211556298
Language:
English
Publisher:
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
209104-5
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1461794-8
SSG:
11
SSG:
12
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