Assessment of steroid receptor levels in endocrine-related neoplasias

The level of steroid receptors in endocrine-related neoplasias is linked to disease prognosis and to tumour response to endocrine therapy. As an example, the level of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in breast tumors is positively linked to favorable disease prognosis and to an objective response to treatment with tamoxifen (Nolvadex) and other antiestrogens . The level of progesterone receptor is another prognostic and predictive marker in breast cancer, albeit not an independent one. This IBRB service claims to have provided clinicians in hospitals around Athens with the measurement of ER and PR levels in >19000 breast tumours since its establishment in the early 80s (this service is provided by the Unit on a routine basis).