Roles for miRNAs in endocrine resistance in breast cancer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Center for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40292, USA
- Correspondence should be addressed to C M Klinge; Email: carolyn.klinge{at}louisville.edu
Abstract
Therapies targeting estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), including selective ER modulators such as tamoxifen, selective ER downregulators such as fulvestrant (ICI 182 780), and aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole, are successfully used in treating breast cancer patients whose initial tumor expresses ERα. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of endocrine therapies is limited by acquired resistance. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the progression of endocrine-resistant breast cancer is of keen interest in developing biomarkers and therapies to counter metastatic disease. This review focuses on miRNAs implicated as disruptors of antiestrogen therapies, their bona fide gene targets and associated pathways promoting endocrine resistance.
- antiestrogen
- aromatase inhibitor
- breast cancer
- endocrine-resistance
- estrogen receptor
- miRNA
- tamoxifen
- Revision received 31 July 2015
- Accepted 12 August 2015
- © 2015 Society for Endocrinology
