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Roles of estrogen receptor-alpha and -beta in non-small cell lung cancer
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Abstract:
Abstract Estrogen receptors (ER), including estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), are ligand-dependent trans-acting transcription factors of steroid hormone nuclear receptor family. They have three major functional domains: the N-terminal region, DNA-binding domain and the C-terminal region. ERα and ERβ are expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and normal lung tissues, and their expressions are correlated with histological types of lung cancer. ER regulates transcription through the estrogen signaling pathway, and regulates its active form in the nuclei of tumor cells through the growth factor receptor pathway and steroid signaling pathway, thereby affecting the biological behaviors of cells such as growth, division, and metabolism. The hypermethylation of ER is related to the occurrence of lung tumors. ERα does not affect the metabolism of tobacco carcinogens though the correlation of smoking, and lung cancer is more evident in women. Whether the expression of ERα or ERβ is a valid predictor of lung cancer needs to be studied further. In conclusion, ERα and ERβ are closely correlated with the development, progression，and prognosis of NSCLC. Hormonal therapy based on ERα and ERβ may become an important strategy for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Project Supported:
Project supported by the Scientific and Technological Development Program of Shandong Province (No. 2009GG20002044)
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