Mechanisms for estrogen receptor expression in human cancer

Estrogen is a steroid hormone that has critical roles in reproductive development, bone homeostasis, cardiovascular remodeling and brain functions. However, estrogen also promotes mammary, ovarian and endometrial tumorigenesis. Estrogen antagonists and drugs that reduce estrogen biosynthesis have become highly successful therapeutic agents for breast cancer patients. The effects of estrogen are largely mediated by estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERβ, which are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. The mechanisms underlying the aberrant expression of ER in breast cancer and other types of human tumors are complex, involving considerable alternative splicing of ERα and ERβ, transcription factors, epigenetic and post-transcriptional regulation of ER expression. Elucidation of mechanisms for ER expression may not only help understand cancer progression and evolution, but also shed light on overcoming endocrine therapy resistance. Herein, we review the complex mechanisms for regulating ER expression in human cancer.