Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer treatment: Are multi-target compounds the next promising approach?

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Almeida, CF (Author) Other; Oliveira, A (Author) Other; Ramos, MJ (Author) FCUP; Pedro A Fernandes (Author) FCUP; Teixeira, N (Author) Other; Amaral, C (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Biochemical Pharmacology

Vol. 177

ISSN: 0006-2952

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 23 Citations

Scopus - 26 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-1J4

DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113989

Abstract (EN): Endocrine therapy is currently the main therapeutic approach for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, the most frequent subtype of breast cancer in women worldwide. For this subtype of tumors, the current clinical treatment includes aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and anti-estrogenic compounds, such as Tamoxifen and Fulvestrant, being AIs the first-line treatment option for post-menopausal women. Moreover, the recent guidelines also suggest the use of these compounds by pre-menopausal women after suppressing ovaries function. However, besides its therapeutic efficacy, the prolonged use of this type of therapies may lead to the development of several adverse effects, as well as, endocrine resistance, limiting the effectiveness of such treatments. In order to surpass this issues and clinical concerns, during the last years, several studies have been suggesting alternative therapeutic approaches, considering the function of aromatase, ER alpha and ER beta. Here, we review the structural and functional features of these three targets and their importance in ER+ breast cancer treatment, as well as, the current treatment strategies used in clinic, emphasizing the importance of the development of multi-target compounds able to simultaneously modulate these key targets, as a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for this type of cancer.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 14