Abstract
The great majority of breast and prostate tumors are hormone-dependent cancers; hence, estrogens and androgens can, respectively, drive their developments, making it possible to use pharmacological therapies in their hormone-dependent phases by targeting the levels of steroid or modulating their physiological activity through their respective nuclear receptors when the tumors relapse. Unfortunately, at some stage, both breast and prostate cancers become resistant to pharmacological treatments that aim to block their receptors, estrogen (ER) or androgen (AR) receptors, respectively. So far, antiestrogens and antiandrogens used in clinics have been designed based on their structural analogies with natural hormones, 17-β estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. Plants are a potential source of drug discovery and the development of new pharmacological compounds. The aim of this review article is to highlight the recent advances in the pharmacological modulation of androgen or estrogen levels, and their activity through their cognate nuclear receptors in prostate or breast cancer and the effects of some plants extracts.
Highlights
The second leading cause of mortality worldwide [1], cancer is a complex situation
Extensive research over the past 25 years in breast (BCa) and prostate (PCa) cancers have deciphered the molecular mechanisms driven by steroid receptors and elucidated the interplay between genomic and non-genomic activities of these steroid receptors
These mechanisms pilot specific gene expression programs that contribute to the tissue homeostasis and the disequilibrium in such a subtle balance that could induce endocrine therapy resistance and cancer progression [3]
Summary
The second leading cause of mortality worldwide [1], cancer is a complex situation. This is based in part on the extreme heterogeneity of the genetic causes, the levels of the secreted growth factors and circulating hormones, and the interactions between the tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment [2]. A prostate tumor is composed of multiple epithelial cell types, inter-mingled with various fibroblasts, neuroendocrine cells, endothelial cells, macrophages and lymphocytes, all of them interacting to influence treatment responses in a patient-specific manner [10] Androgens and their receptor (AR), play a key role in the development of prostate tissue by guiding cytodifferentiation and homeostasis of normal or tumor luminal epithelial cells. “international guidelines” recommend endocrine therapy as the first therapeutic choice in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative luminal metastatic BCa unless a visceral crisis or another life-threatening situation requires chemotherapy [25]. These treatments, targeting the estrogen signaling pathways include SERMs, SERDs, and aromatase inhibitors [24]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
