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Breast Cancer Research
Published in: Breast Cancer Research 3/2011

01-06-2011 | Editorial

Endocrine resistance in breast cancer: new roles for ErbB3 and ErbB4

Author: Robert L Sutherland

Published in: Breast Cancer Research | Issue 3/2011

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Abstract

Endocrine resistance is a major limitation to the successful treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, and the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and ErbB-2 receptor tyrosine kinases are involved in this process. A recent study now implicates the other two ErbB family members, ErbB-3 and -4. Exposure of ER+ breast cancer cells to the pure antiestrogen, fulvestrant, increased levels of ErbB-3 or ErbB-4 and sensitivity to the growth-stimulatory effects of heregulin β, a potent ligand for these receptors. Thus, the initial growth-inhibitory effects of fulvestrant appear compromised by cellular plasticity that allows rapid compensatory growth stimulation via ErbB-3/4. Further evaluation of pan-ErbB receptor inhibitors in endocrine-resistant disease appears warranted.
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Metadata
Title
Endocrine resistance in breast cancer: new roles for ErbB3 and ErbB4
Author
Robert L Sutherland
Publication date
01-06-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Breast Cancer Research / Issue 3/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1465-542X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/bcr2878

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