The role of aromatase and other oestrogen producing enzymes in mammary carcinogenesis

Abstract

There is a large and compelling body of epidemiological and experimental evidence that oestrogens are the fuel behind the
aetiology of breast cancer. The local biosynthesis of oestrogens especially in postmenopausal women as a result of the interactions
of various enzymes is believed to play a very important role in the pathogenesis and development of hormone-dependent breast
carcinoma. The over-expression of such enzymes seems to be associated ciated with the development of a more aggressive disease
and associated with poor outcome and increased local and distant recurrences. In this chapter we shed light on CYP19 gene
expression, aromatase enzyme activity and its role in mammary carcinogenesis. In addition, other oestrogen producing enzymes
such as 17beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, 2 and steroid sulphatase and their role in breast cancer development are these
enzymes is crucial to the development of new endocrine preventative and therapeutic strategies in postmenopausal females with
hormonedependant breast cancer. Currently, the third generation of aromatase dependant breast cancer. Currently, the third
generation of aromatase inhibitors has revolutionised the treatment of oestrogen-dependant breast cancer. However, the important
role of both STS and 17beta HSD type 1 therapy. Such endocrine therapy is currently being explored and the development of
STS inhibitors and 17beta HSD 1 inhibitors is underway with promising initial results.