Hormones are key factors in the development of several widespread cancers globally. This encompasses cancers that are dependent on steroid hormones, such as ovarian, breast, and endometrial cancers in women, as well as prostate cancer in men. Several studies indicate that in hormone-sensitive cancers, sex steroid such as estrogens, progesterone, and androgens can promote tumor growth by regulating the processes of cell division and differentiation.
As a result, endocrine therapies have become largely exploited in treating some of these cancers by modulating hormone receptors and steroid enzymes which are implicated in hormones synthesis. The expression pattern of receptors varies among different cancer subtypes, including breast cancer, which turn to be necessary for its classification and also significantly impacts the choice of therapeutic strategies,. For example, inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, which is crucial for estrogen synthesis, is a common treatment approach in breast cancers that express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR). In contrast, treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks these receptors, poses a challenge due to the absence of effective therapeutic targets. However, TNBC may express other receptors such as the androgen receptor (AR) or estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), whose therapeutic value is currently under active research and debate.
Another sub-family of steroid hormones is represented by the glucocorticoids, secreted by the adrenal gland and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Unlike receptors for other steroid hormones, glucocorticoids act through their receptors to inhibit cell growth and metastasis. However, the potential therapeutic role of glucocorticoid receptors in cancer treatment remains a subject of ongoing debate.
This Research Topic focuses on the role of steroid hormones, glucocorticoids, and steroid enzymes in the initiation and progression of cancer. Furthermore, it delves into their therapeutic application and efficacy in the management of hormone-dependent tumors, which are significantly common among the population.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Opinion articles. These submissions should focus on, but not be limited to, the following topics:
• Endocrine therapies for cancer treatment
• Steroid receptors function in cancer
• Steroid enzymes activity
• Involvement of steroids and their receptors in tumorigenesis signaling pathways
Keywords:
Cancer, steroidogenesis, steroid hormones, glucocorticoids, steroid enzymes
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Hormones are key factors in the development of several widespread cancers globally. This encompasses cancers that are dependent on steroid hormones, such as ovarian, breast, and endometrial cancers in women, as well as prostate cancer in men. Several studies indicate that in hormone-sensitive cancers, sex steroid such as estrogens, progesterone, and androgens can promote tumor growth by regulating the processes of cell division and differentiation.
As a result, endocrine therapies have become largely exploited in treating some of these cancers by modulating hormone receptors and steroid enzymes which are implicated in hormones synthesis. The expression pattern of receptors varies among different cancer subtypes, including breast cancer, which turn to be necessary for its classification and also significantly impacts the choice of therapeutic strategies,. For example, inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, which is crucial for estrogen synthesis, is a common treatment approach in breast cancers that express estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR). In contrast, treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks these receptors, poses a challenge due to the absence of effective therapeutic targets. However, TNBC may express other receptors such as the androgen receptor (AR) or estrogen receptor beta (ERβ), whose therapeutic value is currently under active research and debate.
Another sub-family of steroid hormones is represented by the glucocorticoids, secreted by the adrenal gland and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Unlike receptors for other steroid hormones, glucocorticoids act through their receptors to inhibit cell growth and metastasis. However, the potential therapeutic role of glucocorticoid receptors in cancer treatment remains a subject of ongoing debate.
This Research Topic focuses on the role of steroid hormones, glucocorticoids, and steroid enzymes in the initiation and progression of cancer. Furthermore, it delves into their therapeutic application and efficacy in the management of hormone-dependent tumors, which are significantly common among the population.
We welcome submissions of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-reviews, Methods, Perspectives, and Opinion articles. These submissions should focus on, but not be limited to, the following topics:
• Endocrine therapies for cancer treatment
• Steroid receptors function in cancer
• Steroid enzymes activity
• Involvement of steroids and their receptors in tumorigenesis signaling pathways
Keywords:
Cancer, steroidogenesis, steroid hormones, glucocorticoids, steroid enzymes
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.