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Progesterone: the ultimate endometrial tumor suppressor
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Progesterone: the ultimate endometrial tumor suppressor

Shujie Yang, Kristina W Thiel and Kimberly K Leslie
Trends in endocrinology and metabolism, Vol.22(4), pp.145-152
04/2011
DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2011.01.005
PMCID: PMC4062362
PMID: 21353793
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2011.01.005View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

The uterine endometrium is exquisitely sensitive to steroid hormones that act through well-described nuclear receptors. Estrogen drives epithelial proliferation, and progesterone inhibits growth and causes cell differentiation. The importance of progesterone as a key inhibitor of carcinogenesis is reflected by the observation that women who ovulate and produce progesterone almost never get endometrial cancer. In this review we describe seminal research findings that define progesterone as the major endometrial tumor suppressor. We discuss the genes and diverse signaling pathways that are controlled by progesterone through progesterone receptors (PRs) and also the multiple factors that regulate progesterone/PR activity. By defining these progesterone-regulated factors and pathways we identify the principal therapeutic opportunities to control the growth of endometrial cancer.
Progestins - therapeutic use Humans Endometrial Neoplasms - metabolism Progesterone - metabolism Endometrial Neoplasms - drug therapy Female Receptors, Progesterone - metabolism

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