[Estrogen-dependent neoplasia - what is the significance of estradiol metabolites]

Abstract

Estradiol can be metabolized to substances eliciting different, partly opposite effects even at low concentrations as shown in own investigations, e. g., regarding (anti)angiogenic actions. Specific anticancerogenic effects are ascribed to 2-hydroxyestrone and particularly 2-methoxyestradiol. In contrast, 16alpha-hydroxyestrone and the 4-hydroxyestrogens may be genotoxic under certain circumstances. Furthermore there are indications that endogenous production of proliferation-stimulating metabolites is raised in some cancers. Especially the urinary excretion of 2-hydroxyestrone to 16alpha-hydroxyestrone was investigated showing in own and other clinical studies a lower ratio in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. Research is ongoing inasfar the determination of estradiol metabolites also in blood or directly in the breast tissue by means of sensitive laboratory methods may allow predictive statements. However, it has be to consider that estradiol metabolism can be influenced by external factors such as nutrition, smoking, sports and drugs such as L-thyroxine and H2-antagonists. We were able to demonstrate that estradiol metabolism during estradiol treatment depends on the application mode and might be differently influenced by addition of the various progestins. Whether the investigation of gene polymorphism of enzymes, which are involved in estradiol metabolism, may be helpful for the assessment or treatment of risk patients, to our opinion needs further research.