Abstract
Breast and prostate cancers are hormone-sensitive malignancies that afflict millions of women and men. Although prolactin (PRL) is known as a survival factor that supports tumor growth and confers chemoresistance in both cancers, its precise role in these tumors has not been studied extensively. Growth hormone and placental lactogen also bind PRL receptor (PRLR) and mimic some of the actions of PRL. Blockade of the PRLR represents a novel treatment for patients with advanced breast or prostate cancer with limited therapeutic options. This review discusses different approaches for generating PRLR antagonists. Emphasis is placed on technological advances which enable high-throughput screening for small molecule inhibitors of PRLR signaling that could serve as oral medications.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Evaluation Study
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Breast Neoplasms / genetics
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Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
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Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
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Carcinoma / therapy*
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Female
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High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods
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Hormone Antagonists / isolation & purification
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Hormone Antagonists / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Male
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Models, Biological
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Models, Molecular
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Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
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Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
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Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
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Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy*
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Receptors, Prolactin / antagonists & inhibitors*
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Receptors, Prolactin / chemistry
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Receptors, Prolactin / metabolism
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Receptors, Prolactin / physiology
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Therapies, Investigational / methods
Substances
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Hormone Antagonists
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Receptors, Prolactin