Acquired resistance to aromatase inhibitors: where we stand!

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Augusto, TV (Author) Other; Correia da Silva, G (Author) Other; Rodrigues, CMP (Author) Other; Teixeira, NA (Author) FFUP; Amaral, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Endocrine-Related Cancer

Vol. 25

Pages: R283-R301

ISSN: 1351-0088

Publisher: BioScientifica Ltd.

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 12 Citations

Scopus - 14 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00N-X7H

DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0425

Abstract (EN): Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are one of the principal therapeutic approaches for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer in postmenopausal women. They block estrogen biosynthesis through aromatase inhibition, thus preventing tumour progression. Besides the therapeutic success of the third-generation AIs, acquired resistance may develop, leading to tumour relapse. This resistance is thought to be the result of a change in the behaviour of ER in these breast cancer cells, presumably by PI3K/AKT pathway enhancement along with alterations in other signalling pathways. Nevertheless, biological mechanisms, such as apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle modulation and activation of androgen receptor (AR), are also implicated in acquired resistance. Moreover, clinical evidence demonstrated that there is a lack of cross-resistance among AIs, although the reason is not fully understood. Thus, there is a demand to understand the mechanisms involved in endocrine resistance to each AI, since the search for new strategies to surpass breast cancer acquired resistance is of major concern.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19