Steroid sulfatase inhibitors: promising new tools for breast cancer therapy? 2011

Jürgen Geisler, and Hironobu Sasano, and Shiuan Chen, and Atul Purohit
Institute of Clinical Medicine, Division of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway. juergen.geisler@medisin.uio.no

Inhibition of aromatase is currently well-established as the major treatment option of hormone-dependent breast cancer in postmenopausal women. However, despite the effects of aromatase inhibitors in both early and metastatic breast cancer, endocrine resistance may cause relapses of the disease and progression of metastasis. Thus, driven by the success of manipulating the steroidogenic enzyme aromatase, several alternative enzymes involved in steroid synthesis and metabolism have recently been investigated as possible drug targets. One of the most promising targets is the steroid sulfatase (STS) which converts steroid sulfates like estrone sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) to estrone (E1) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), respectively. Estrone and DHEA may thereafter be used for the synthesis of more potent estrogens and androgens that may eventually fuel hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells. The present review summarizes the biology behind steroid sulfatase and its inhibition, the currently available information derived from basic and early clinical trials in breast cancer patients, as well as ongoing research. Article from the Special Issue on Targeted Inhibitors.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D001943 Breast Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the human BREAST. Breast Cancer,Breast Tumors,Cancer of Breast,Breast Carcinoma,Cancer of the Breast,Human Mammary Carcinoma,Malignant Neoplasm of Breast,Malignant Tumor of Breast,Mammary Cancer,Mammary Carcinoma, Human,Mammary Neoplasm, Human,Mammary Neoplasms, Human,Neoplasms, Breast,Tumors, Breast,Breast Carcinomas,Breast Malignant Neoplasm,Breast Malignant Neoplasms,Breast Malignant Tumor,Breast Malignant Tumors,Breast Neoplasm,Breast Tumor,Cancer, Breast,Cancer, Mammary,Cancers, Mammary,Carcinoma, Breast,Carcinoma, Human Mammary,Carcinomas, Breast,Carcinomas, Human Mammary,Human Mammary Carcinomas,Human Mammary Neoplasm,Human Mammary Neoplasms,Mammary Cancers,Mammary Carcinomas, Human,Neoplasm, Breast,Neoplasm, Human Mammary,Neoplasms, Human Mammary,Tumor, Breast
D002986 Clinical Trials as Topic Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries. Clinical Trial as Topic
D004791 Enzyme Inhibitors Compounds or agents that combine with an enzyme in such a manner as to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the catalytic reaction. Enzyme Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Enzyme,Inhibitors, Enzyme
D004967 Estrogens Compounds that interact with ESTROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of ESTRADIOL. Estrogens stimulate the female reproductive organs, and the development of secondary female SEX CHARACTERISTICS. Estrogenic chemicals include natural, synthetic, steroidal, or non-steroidal compounds. Estrogen,Estrogen Effect,Estrogen Effects,Estrogen Receptor Agonists,Estrogenic Agents,Estrogenic Compounds,Estrogenic Effect,Estrogenic Effects,Agents, Estrogenic,Agonists, Estrogen Receptor,Compounds, Estrogenic,Effects, Estrogen,Effects, Estrogenic,Receptor Agonists, Estrogen
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000728 Androgens Compounds that interact with ANDROGEN RECEPTORS in target tissues to bring about the effects similar to those of TESTOSTERONE. Depending on the target tissues, androgenic effects can be on SEX DIFFERENTIATION; male reproductive organs, SPERMATOGENESIS; secondary male SEX CHARACTERISTICS; LIBIDO; development of muscle mass, strength, and power. Androgen,Androgen Receptor Agonist,Androgen Effect,Androgen Effects,Androgen Receptor Agonists,Androgenic Agents,Androgenic Compounds,Agents, Androgenic,Agonist, Androgen Receptor,Agonists, Androgen Receptor,Compounds, Androgenic,Effect, Androgen,Effects, Androgen,Receptor Agonist, Androgen,Receptor Agonists, Androgen
D015394 Molecular Structure The location of the atoms, groups or ions relative to one another in a molecule, as well as the number, type and location of covalent bonds. Structure, Molecular,Molecular Structures,Structures, Molecular
D043266 Steryl-Sulfatase An arylsulfatase with high specificity towards sulfated steroids. Defects in this enzyme are the cause of ICHTHYOSIS, X-LINKED. 3 Beta-Hydroxysteroid Sulfate Sulfatase,Arylsulfatase C,Arylsulphatase C,Cholesterol Sulfatase,Cholesterol Sulfate Sulfatase,DHEA Sulfatase,Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Sulfatase,Estrone Sulfate Sulfatase,Estrone Sulfate Sulfohydrolase,Steroid Sulfatase,Steroid Sulfohydrolase,Steroid Sulphatase,Sterol Sulfatase,Sterylsulfatase,3 Beta Hydroxysteroid Sulfate Sulfatase,Steryl Sulfatase,Sulfatase, Cholesterol,Sulfatase, Cholesterol Sulfate,Sulfatase, DHEA,Sulfatase, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate,Sulfatase, Estrone Sulfate,Sulfatase, Steroid,Sulfatase, Sterol,Sulfate Sulfatase, Cholesterol,Sulfate Sulfatase, Dehydroepiandrosterone,Sulfate Sulfatase, Estrone,Sulfate Sulfohydrolase, Estrone,Sulfohydrolase, Estrone Sulfate,Sulfohydrolase, Steroid,Sulphatase, Steroid
D047072 Aromatase Inhibitors Compounds that inhibit AROMATASE in order to reduce production of estrogenic steroid hormones. Aromatase Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Aromatase,Inhibitors, Aromatase

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