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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

breast cancer, estrogens, endogenous hormones, ERa, Estrogen Receptor

College

Life Sciences

Department

Physiology and Developmental Biology

Abstract

Each year, more than 170,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States alone [1]. The risk for developing breast cancer can largely be attributed to the levels of exogenous and endogenous hormones in the body [2]. A hormone known to have drastic effect on cancer cell proliferation is estrogen, a regulator of cardiovascular, bone, and reproductive systems [3]. Estrogen is produced endogenously in the granulosa and theca cells of the ovary, and is found in a variety of forms: 17b-estradiol, estrone, and estriol. These estrogen subtypes are derived from cholesterol, and contain varying isoforms of 18 carbons [4]. Furthermore, estrogens can also be obtained from a variety of exogenous sources. Phytoestrogens are obtained in diet, are compounds with estrogenic activity and are found in soy, fruit, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Some well-characterized phytoestrogens are genestien, glycitein, daidzein, enterodiol, and enterolactone [6].

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