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    Oncogene. 2007 Aug 9;26(36):5238-46. Epub 2007 Mar 5.

    Estrogen receptor-positive mammary tumorigenesis in TGFalpha transgenic mice progresses with progesterone receptor loss.

    Rose-Hellekant TA, Schroeder MD, Brockman JL, Zhdankin O, Bolstad R, Chen KS, Gould MN, Schuler LA, Sandgren EP.

    Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. trosehel@d.umn.edu

    We characterized the novel NRL-transforming growth factor alpha (NRL-TGFalpha) transgenic mouse model in which growth factor - steroid receptor interactions were explored. The NRL promoter directs transgene expression to mammary ductal and alveolar cells and is nonresponsive to estrogen manipulations in vitro and in vivo. NRL-TGFalpha mice acquire proliferative hyperplasias as well as cystic and solid tumors. Quantitative transcript analysis revealed a progressive decrease in estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA levels with tumorigenesis. However, ER protein was evident in all lesion types and in surrounding stromal cells using immunohistochemistry. PR protein was identified in normal epithelial cells and in very few cells of small epithelial hyperplasias, but never in stromal or tumor cells. Prophylactic ovariectomy significantly delayed tumor development and decreased incidence. Finally, while heterozygous (+/-) p53 mice did not acquire mammary lesions, p53+/- mice carrying the NRL-TGFalpha transgene developed ER negative/PR negative undifferentiated carcinomas. These data demonstrate that unregulated TGFalpha expression in the mammary gland leads to oncogenesis that is dependent on ovarian steroids early in tumorigenesis. Resulting tumors resemble a clinical phenotype of ER+/PR-, and when combined with a heterozygous p53 genotype, ER-/PR-.

    PMID: 17334393 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

    PMCID: 2587149

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    • Estrogen (Cenestin®, Enjuvia®, Estrace®, ...)

      Estrogen is used to treat hot flushes ('hot flashes'; sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating) in women who are experiencing menopause ('change of life', the end of monthly menstrual periods). Some brands of estrogen...

    • Progesterone (Prometrium®)

      Progesterone is used as a part of hormone replacement therapy in women who have passed menopause (the change of life) and have not had a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus). Hormone replacement therapy usually in...