Estrogen receptors as molecular targets of endocrine therapy for glioblastoma

Abstract

Hormonal factors may participate in the development and progression of glioblastoma, the most aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system. Many studies have been conducted on the possible involvement of estrogen receptors (ERs) in gliomas. Since there is a tendency for a reduced expression of ERs as the degree of malignancy of such tumors increases, it is important to understand the role of these receptors in the progression and treatment of this disease. ERs belong to the family of nuclear receptors, although they can also be in the plasmatic membrane, cytoplasm and mitochondria. They are classified as estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ), each with different isoforms that have a distinct function in the organism. ERs regulate multiple physiological and pathological processes through the activation of genomic and nongenomic pathways in the cell. Nevertheless, the role of each isoform in the development and progression of glioblastoma is not completely clear. Diverse in vitro and in vivo studies have shown encouraging results for endocrine therapy as a treatment for gliomas. At the same time, many questions have arisen concerning the nature of ERs as well as the mechanism of action of the proposed drugs. Hence, the aim of the current review is to describe the drugs that could possibly be utilized in endocrine therapy for the treatment of high-grade gliomas, analyze their interaction with ERs, and explore the involvement of these drugs and receptors in resistance to standard chemotherapy.