Hormonal receptors for breast cancer and their significance

Part of breast tumors consists of cells characterized by the presence of estrogen receptors and other steroid hormones, including a progestogen. These receptors are located both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm of cells. They are found in 65% of tumors arising in the postmenopausal period. At the same time, only 30% of premenopausal tumors associated with the BRCA1 gene usually do not contain estrogen receptors and progesterone (PR).

However, these receptors are present in tumors associated with the BRCA2 gene. The hormonal dependence of certain tumors is confirmed by clinical observations when the hormonal background changes in the body. Currently, it has been shown that the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) in tumor cells correlates with the sensitivity of an individual tumor to hormones. This allows you to predict its sensitivity to hormonal drugs, which has an important clinical significance.

For example, patients who have an ER-negative tumor may not have their ovaries removed. It is not entirely clear whether the status of the ER reflects fundamental differences between “negative” and “positive” breast cancer, or whether there is a continuous transition from tumors with a sharply positive characteristic of ER to tumors, in which the level of ER is practically undetermined. Current evidence supports the second assumption.