Recent Advances in Imaging Steroid Hormone Receptors in Breast Cancer

J Nucl Med. 2020 Feb;61(2):172-176. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.119.228858. Epub 2019 Nov 15.

Abstract

Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are important prognostic and predictive biomarkers in breast cancer. PET using ER- and PR-specific radioligands enables a whole-body, noninvasive assessment of receptor expression. Recent investigations of ER imaging with 18F-fluoroestradiol have focused on diagnosing ER-positive metastatic disease, optimizing ER-targeted drug dosage, and predicting endocrine therapy benefit. Studies of PR imaging with 18F-fluorofuranyl norprogesterone have investigated how imaging changes in PR expression as a downstream target of ER activation may reflect an early response to ER-targeted therapy. This focused review highlights recent achievements in preclinical and clinical imaging of ER and PR in breast cancer.

Keywords: PET/CT; breast cancer; estrogen receptor; progesterone receptor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Receptors, Estrogen / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone