Estrogen receptor beta expression and role in cancers

Fátima L Monteiro; Lina Stepanauskaite; Amena Archer; Cecilia Williams

doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106526

Estrogen receptor beta expression and role in cancers

J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2024 Apr 22:242:106526. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106526. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Fátima L Monteiro¹, Lina Stepanauskaite¹, Amena Archer¹, Cecilia Williams²

Affiliations

¹ SciLifeLab, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna 171 21, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 141 83, Sweden.
² SciLifeLab, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna 171 21, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge 141 83, Sweden. Electronic address: cecilia.williams@scilifelab.se.

PMID: 38657699
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106526

Abstract

Estrogen drives the growth of some cancers, such as breast cancer, via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). Estrogen also activates ERβ, but whether ERβ is expressed and has a role in different cancers is debated. The use of nonspecific antibodies has contributed to the confusion, and this review delves into ERβ's controversial role in cancer and focuses on tumor expression that can be supported by non-antibody-dependent assays. We discuss its expression at the transcript level and focus on its potential role in lymphoma, granulosa cell tumors, testicular, and adrenal cancers, emphasizing recent findings and the complexities that necessitate further research.

Keywords: ESR2, isoforms; Estrogen receptor beta; cancer; expression; microenvironment.