Journal of Practical Oncology ›› 2019, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (5): 466-470.doi: 10.11904/j.issn.1002-3070.2019.05.016

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The role of steroid hormones in breast cancer and its effect on cancer stem cells

WANG Yu1, QIAO Juanjuan2, ZHANG Lei2, LIU Siwei1, YANG Shucai1   

  1. 1.Department of Human Anatomy,Harbin Medical University,Harbin 150081,China;
    2.Department of Pathology,Harbin Medical University
  • Published:2019-11-05

Abstract: Steroid hormones,especially estrogens and progestins,play an important role in the pathogenesis,progression and treatment of breast cancer.At the same time,a large number of studies have confirmed that cancer stem cells also play a key role in the occurrence,progression and metastasis of breast cancer.In preclinical models of breast cancer,although tumor cells have been significantly inhibited by conventional anti-endocrine therapy,only a small number of breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs)are needed to maintain tumor re-growth.In the past,a large number of studies have focused on the relationship between hormones in the development of normal breast and breast cancer.Recently,many studies have examined effects of hormones on the activity of breast cancer stem cell,which has opened up a new research direction for breast cancer treatment and CSCs.This paper comprehensively discusses the role of steroid hormones(estrogen and progesterone)in breast cancer and their regulation of breast BCSCs.

Key words: Breast cancer, Cancer stem cells, Estrogen, Progesterone

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