DEFINITION OF THE CELLULAR MECHANISMS WHICH DISTINGUISH BETWEEN HORMONE AND ANTIHORMONE ACTIVATED STEROID-RECEPTORS

Steroid hormones are key regulatory molecules required for the coordin ated regulation of the events associated with growth, differentiation and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. A large number of clinical ab normalities have been shown to be associated with defects in sex stero id hormone production or in the way the cell responds to these hormona l stimuli. As a consequence of the need to modulate the action of the sex steroid;, several antihormones, compounds which oppose the action of the natural hormones, have been developed. These antihormones have Sound widespread application in the treatment of breast and prostate c ancers, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Of late, considerable proc ess has been made in defining the precise molecular mechanism of actio n of steroid hormones and their corresponding antihormones. It is anti cipated that this information will impact the discovery and developmen t of novel antihormones with improved therapeutic profiles.