17?-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in Human Breast Cancer
Estrogen plays a pivotal role in development and progression of human breast carcinoma. Before menopause the main source of estrogen in women is circulating estrogen secreted from the ovary, but following menopause the source changes to the hormone that is converted from circulating adrenal androgens in peripheral tissues. Therefore, adrenal androgens have to be converted to estrogen to stimulate breast carcinoma cells. In these steps, several enzymes such as aromatase, steroid sulfatase, and 17?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17?-HSDs) are involved in the production of estrogens.
breast cancer estrogen 17?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17?-hsd) intracrinology dehydroepiandrosterone (dhea)