Open Access

ERα and ERβ co-expression: An indicator of aggressive tumors and hormonal sensitivity

  • Authors:
    • Mohamed Oueslati
    • Ilhem Bittaieb
    • Nadia Sassi
    • Awatef Ben Jemaa
    • Amor Gamoudi
    • Khaled Rahal
    • Ridha Oueslati
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: June 6, 2017     https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6314
  • Pages: 1675-1682
  • Copyright: © Oueslati et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The estrogen receptors (ERs) ERα and ERβ are important factors in breast cancer progression. Nevertheless, the molecular interplay between ERα and ERβ and its clinical significance in breast cancer is controversial. The establishment of a clear association is required; therefore, the current study analyzed the expression patterns of ERα and ERβ in 32 breast tumor tissues using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and the Ki‑67 status were detected by immunohistochemistry. The results revealed that the ERα and ERβ expression rates recorded were 68 and 65%, respectively. The ERα:ERβ ratio exhibited a decline along with disease progression. ERα and ERβ were found to be negatively correlated with HER2 status but positively correlated with Ki‑67. Co‑expression of ERα and ERβ was associated with breast cancer aggressiveness, including higher histological grade and positive nodal status, which commonly occur following the menopause. In addition, in cases where ERβ was coexpressed with ERα, HER2 expression was frequently found to be negative, whereas the Ki‑67 index was upregulated. These data suggest that ERα and ERβ co‑expression may be an indicator of tumor aggressiveness and the sensitivity of hormonal therapy via the downregulation of HER2.
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August-2017
Volume 14 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-1074
Online ISSN:1792-1082

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Spandidos Publications style
Oueslati M, Bittaieb I, Sassi N, Jemaa AB, Gamoudi A, Rahal K and Oueslati R: ERα and ERβ co-expression: An indicator of aggressive tumors and hormonal sensitivity. Oncol Lett 14: 1675-1682, 2017
APA
Oueslati, M., Bittaieb, I., Sassi, N., Jemaa, A.B., Gamoudi, A., Rahal, K., & Oueslati, R. (2017). ERα and ERβ co-expression: An indicator of aggressive tumors and hormonal sensitivity. Oncology Letters, 14, 1675-1682. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6314
MLA
Oueslati, M., Bittaieb, I., Sassi, N., Jemaa, A. B., Gamoudi, A., Rahal, K., Oueslati, R."ERα and ERβ co-expression: An indicator of aggressive tumors and hormonal sensitivity". Oncology Letters 14.2 (2017): 1675-1682.
Chicago
Oueslati, M., Bittaieb, I., Sassi, N., Jemaa, A. B., Gamoudi, A., Rahal, K., Oueslati, R."ERα and ERβ co-expression: An indicator of aggressive tumors and hormonal sensitivity". Oncology Letters 14, no. 2 (2017): 1675-1682. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2017.6314