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Estrogen Receptor Mutation Study Suggests Potential Treatments for Endometrial Cancers

Read Time: 2 minutes

Jay Gertz, PhD and Zannel Blanchard, PhD
Jay Gertz, PhD and Zannel Blanchard, PhD

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute identified potential new treatment options for people with endometrial cancer. Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer and high levels of estrogen promote its development. The , published in Molecular Cancer Research discovered that estrogen receptor mutations found in endometrial cancers cause large changes in endometrial cancer cells.

Estrogen is a reproductive hormone that binds and activates estrogen receptors. Cancer can cause estrogen receptors to remain in a state of constant activity. That increases shedding of the endometrial lining. 鈥淥ur goal was to characterize estrogen receptor mutations in endometrial cancer to see how they affected gene expression, along with how these mutations made cells more aggressive and fast-growing,鈥 says Zannel Blanchard, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at Huntsman Cancer Institute and lead investigator on the study. 鈥淲e found that the mutations caused large changes in gene expression and cellular behavior.鈥

The team used their findings to identify potential treatments for endometrial cancers with high levels of estrogen receptor activity. They found that inhibitors of CDK9, a protein that works with estrogen receptors, were effective at reducing the growth and aggressiveness of endometrial cancer cells.

鈥淏esides surgery to treat endometrial cancer, there鈥檚 only one drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating primary endometrial cancer, and it was approved in the 1970s,鈥 says , the senior author and researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute and associate professor of oncological sciences at the 香蕉视频 of Utah. 鈥淥ur results help us to really start moving toward personalized鈥攐r precision鈥攎edicine for endometrial cancer.鈥

The study was presented to a breast and gynecologic cancer research advocacy group made up of patients. Participants volunteer their time and meet once a month at Huntsman Cancer Institute.

鈥淲e can write support letters to help with upcoming research grants and offer a patient perspective to researchers,鈥 says Deb Jordan, an endometrial cancer patient at Huntsman Cancer Institute and advocacy group participant. 鈥淲e also get to hear about the ongoing research at Huntsman Cancer Institute. That puts my mind at ease, to learn all that is being done for endometrial cancer.鈥

鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting because the study suggests that there may be more options for endometrial cancer patients,鈥 says Blanchard. 鈥淭here鈥檚 more going on when you look deeper and we get to share these findings with patients who have been through treatment.鈥

Gertz says the treatment options for endometrial cancer are limited and patients play an important role in inspiring researchers to find new therapies. 鈥淚t really motivates me and my lab to understand the disease better and find new treatments.鈥

The study suggests that molecular evaluation of tumors could lead to more personalized treatment options for endometrial cancer patients.

This study was supported by the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including P30 CA042014 and Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

Media Contact

Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu

About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 香蕉视频 of Utah

Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to advance cancer treatments of the future beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.

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