Hormone response in ovarian cancer: time to reconsider as a clinical target?

Endocr Relat Cancer. 2012 Nov 9;19(6):R255-79. doi: 10.1530/ERC-12-0175. Print 2012 Dec.

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide among women in developed countries and the most lethal of all gynecologic malignancies. There is a critical need for the introduction of targeted therapies to improve outcome. Epidemiological evidence suggests a critical role for steroid hormones in ovarian tumorigenesis. There is also increasing evidence from in vitro studies that estrogen, progestin, and androgen regulate proliferation and invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Limited clinical trials have shown modest response rates; however, they have consistently identified a small subset of patients that respond very well to endocrine therapy with few side effects. We propose that it is timely to perform additional well-designed trials that should include biomarkers of response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial
  • Female
  • Hormones / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / metabolism*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Hormones
  • Receptors, Cell Surface